Janet Lee Cyrus, born June 11, 1935, joined her loving husband Alton Lavonna Cyrus in God's kingdom on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the age of 88. Originally from Elton, West Virginia, she was a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan for most of her life where she was an active member at the Ypsilanti Baptist Temple. Janet proudly graduated from the adult education program at Ypsilanti High School in 1971.

One of Janet's greatest passions was cooking for others. She made a career out of it! Janet worked full time in manufacturing plant cafeterias until retiring in 2002. She worked for General Motors before retiring at Flint Ink in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the cafeteria serving hundreds of hungry service workers each day. At home, she always had supper ready for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and just about anyone in the neighborhood who would stop by for a bite of her amazing southern comfort food.

Janet and her husband Alton "Al" were avid food canners, and known in the community for their extravagant vegetable garden that spanned the entire width of their double-lot yard. Janet was passionate about blue grass music and southern gospel hymns. She was always whistling or singing. Janet was very proud of being a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jesse Russell Surbaugh and Macie Marie Martin; her husband of 56 years Alton Lavonna Cyrus; her sisters Helen Jean and Kathryn "Kat" Ann Surbaugh; her brothers Roger Lee Surbaugh and Jesse Fredrick Surbaugh; her sons David Alton Cyrus and Stanley Ray Cyrus; and her grandchildren Joseph Stanley Cyrus and Donna Janet "DJ" Sanborn.

Janet was constantly surrounded by loved ones, friends and family alike. She is fondly remembered by her children James Richard Cyrus, Timothy Stanley Cyrus, and Jeannie Cyrus Sanborn; her grandchildren Michelle Denise Cyrus, Jonathan David Cyrus, Ryan Scott Cyrus, Ashley Nicole Cyrus, Logan Jennings Cyrus, Warren Andrew Fremont Cyrus, Victoria Camille Cyrus, Kayleigh Marie Shannon, David Jacob Armstrong, Benjamin Edward Armstrong, and Olivia Grace Kathryn Armstrong; and her great-grandchildren Audrey Grace Robinson, Liam Armstrong, Scarlett Cyrus, Cody Hong, Gabriel Cyrus, Connor Cyrus, and Walker Cyrus.

A funeral service will be held 1 pm Friday, October 20, 2023 at Stark Funeral Professionals (101 S. Washington Street, Ypsilanti). The family will receive friends at the funeral home 11 am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of Huron Valley online or by mail: 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.