Billye Jean Watkins, 78-year-old Vinita resident passed away early Friday, May 22, 2020 at her home. She was born on November 27, 1941 in Vinita to Kenneth “Punkin” and Wilma (Miller) Giles. Billye graduated from Vinita High School in 1957. On June 29, 1962 she married the love of her life Ronnie Lee Watkins. Ronnie preceded her in death on May 4, 2008. Billye worked for many years as the church secretary at the First Christian Church in Vinita. She was a member of the Bunker Hill Baptist Church. Billye loved to sew, sit on her front porch, tend her garden and never missed Wheel of Fortune. She was a very caring person and loved treating her neighbors and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Barbara Watkins and Tomma Jo Egnor and a brother Kenneth Lee "Buddy" Giles. The family includes; her children, Rod Watkins and Kathy Swan both of Vinita, Karla Hale and boyfriend Troy Branstetter of Copan; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; brothers in-law, Jim Watkins and Butch Egnor and a sister in-law, Karen Hayes of Joplin, along with numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Burckhalter-Highsmith Chapel in Vinita. The celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the Martin Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are under the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Service of Vinita.