Billie Marie Watkins Cyrus

Billie Marie Watkins Cyrus passed away on September 16, 2026. She was born on June 23,1930 in Rex Hospital on South Street and was raised in the Caraleigh community of Raleigh, NC, the daughter of the late Ernest Samuel Watkins and Cleona Mae Kirk Watkins.

Her father died at the age of 40 when she was 9 years old. Her mother married Homer Grogan in 1941. He was a wonderful father figure with whom she shared a bond throughout her life. Billie Marie was also blessed with Kirk and Watkins’ aunts and uncles who surrounded her with love during her childhood. She was grateful to return that love over the years. 

She was a 1948 graduate of Hugh Morson High School, where she held a class office each year, served on the yearbook staff and sang in the Raleigh High School Glee Club. When selecting superlatives, her senior class elected her “Most Serviceable”.  

Billie Marie attended Peace College (William Peace University) and was employed by the Department of Agriculture where she met John Holman Cyrus in 1949. They were married on February 11,1950 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, where they were lifelong faithful members. 

She was employed in the NC General Assembly, House of Representatives from 1961 to 1990, where she served as staff to several legislators and House Committees. 

Billie Marie was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an active volunteer in her sons’ schools. She taught her sons by example that all people have value and to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect. 

Her Christian faith, hope, and love is being carried through the generations. John and Gary are thankful for the homelife that their parents provided. 

Billie Marie served her church through teaching children, her love of music and choir, serving in the WMU, and just being a positive presence. 

Her other joys were NC State football and basketball, growing flowers and having fresh cut flowers in the home.  She maintained long and genuine friendships with Holman’s large family, her Caraleigh childhood friends, Hugh Morson classmates, neighbors, church members, Cyrus, Kirk and Watkins cousins, and several of Holman’s WWII bomber crew family members. In other words, just about everybody. 

Billie Marie was predeceased by her husband John Holman Cyrus on January 8, 2016 after being happily married for almost 66 years. She is also predeceased by her step-father Homer Guthrie Grogan; daughter-in law Anne McAllister Cyrus; and brother Ernest Samuel Watkins, Jr. who died in infancy. 

Billie Marie is survived by her twin sons: John Michael Cyrus and wife Ellen, of Concord, NC and Gary Holman Cyrus and wife Roberta, of Raleigh, NC. Grandchildren; Angela Ballard, and husband Chris of Asheville, NC, Rebecca van Panhuys, and husband Nick of Paremata, New Zealand, Emily Limbrunner and husband Luke of Greenville, NC; and William Cyrus and wife Karim of Raleigh, NC. Great grandchildren Fiona van Panhuys, Naomi van Panhuys and Iann H. Cyrus Luis. She is also survived by loving Cyrus nieces and nephews and many faithful Cyrus, Kirk, and Watkins cousins. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am.

Burial will follow, the service, at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27613, or to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.