AlaVerta "Bertie" Mae Cyrus, 80, of Wichita Falls, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017. Bertie was born on September 27, 1936, in Washington Court House, Ohio, to Weltha and Lang McKnight. She resided there until on October 12, 1953, when she married the love of her life James "Jim" Cyrus who “took her away from all that.” In October 2014, they celebrated their 61st Anniversary Jim’s Air Force career meant many months of separation. Bertie handled with both grace and strength while raising five children. After graduating from the LVN program at Bethania, she received her RN from Midwestern State University. She was employed as a Critical Care nurse at Bethania Hospital, touching the lives of hundreds. She had an incredible gift. Jim often said, “She collects people.” After only a few minutes of conversation, you felt she knew everything about you and you had just made a friend for life. Bertie held several degrees and various professional licenses, but was most proud of the title, “Grandma”. She was a great mom and a loving grandmother. She is survived by her son, Steven Cyrus and wife, Jeannette of London, England; four daughters: Sheryl Kingcade and husband, Gerald, of Iowa Park; Sandy Thompson and husband, Tom, of Carrollton; Barbara Cyrus of Wichita Falls; and Jaymie Nix of Wichita Falls; six grandchildren: Chelsea Salas and husband, Tony; Melissa Nix, Katherine Cyrus; Stephanie and her husband, Angelo Kurukulasuriya; Hallie Thompson, Philip Thompson, and four great grandchildren: Allie, Haigen, Cade, and Braxton. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Lynda Williams of Washington C.H., Ohio, daughter-in-law, Lyn Cyrus of Bicester, England, brothers, Frank McKnight, Lang “Bub” McKnight, “ sisters, Bernice Pepper, Behulah Howard, and Virgina “Jenny” Glover. Bertie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim, her parents, Lang and Weltha McKnight, the grandparents who raised her, Charles and Lovinnia Welch, one great grandson, Hunter Salas, one brother, Charles McKnight, two sisters, Shelba McKnight and Mary Pepper. Our mother’s last year was peaceful and filled with joy. To the excellent team of care givers: Nancy, Carolyn, Renee, Scott, Tanya, Angela and Hospice of Wichita Falls, we will be forever grateful. Any memorials may be placed with Hospice of Wichita Falls in Bertie’s name. Visitation will take place at Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 30, 2017, Haws Road Community Church (formerly the Cowboy Church of Iowa Park). Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery, Iowa Park, at 10 a.m. Monday, May 1, 2017.