Chief Oscola Clayton M. Sylestine, affectionately known by many as Smiley, was born on February 11, 1932 on the Indian Village. He peacefully passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was the son of James Feagin Sylestine and Mary Thompson Sylestine. He had ten brothers and sisters. He is preceded in death by his parents James F. and Mary Sylestine, his sisters Annabelle Sylestine Alec, Stella Bell Sylestine Langley, Edith Nell Sylestine Abbey, twins Jennie Dare Sylestine and Johnnie Dare Sylestine, and brothers Harry R. Sylestine, Lloyd Jimmerson Sylestine, Larry Nathan Sylestine and Carey Dawson Sylestine. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Ethelyn Battise Sylestine of the Indian Reservation, his daughter Pamela Sylestine Anderson of Houston, son Rick and wife Belinda Sylestine of Kilgore, daughter Hilda and husband Dee Ray Pittman of Magnolia, and son James F. Sylestine of the Indian Reservation. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Elizabeth Sylestine and sons Benjamin and Lane Anderson of Houston, Jeremy Sylestine, his wife Molly and daughter Quinn, of Austin, Danielle Sylestine and son Slade of the Indian Reservation, Christopher Anderson and sons Morgan and Aiden of Houston, Shawni Sylestine and sons Jaden and Kameron of Houston, Joshua Sylestine and daughter Annaleigh of Livingston, Shaun Pittman of Houston, Micah Hoyt, his wife Samantha and sons, Kayden, Dawson and Uriah of Harrison, Arkansas, Destiny Sylestine and daughter, Ashlyn of the Indian Reservation, Santana Sylestine of Indian Reservation, Solomon Sylestine of the Indian Reservation, and Tylia Sylestine of Kilgore. His surviving inlaws are Donnis and Carol Battise, Naomi Battise, and Katherine Thompson all of the Indian Reservation. He has one sole surviving sibling, Lillian Isabel Sylestine Celestine who is 90 years old.
He graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1950 and went on to attend the University of Houston. There he played basketball for the Houston Cougars. He left U of H to join the United States Army, and was a Corporal in the 1st Infantry Division, 18th Infantry Regiment from 1953 to 1955. He was stationed in Ashaffenburg, Germany during the Korean War. He worked in the logging industry, and he also worked for 17 years with Champion Forestry until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the Indian Presbyterian Church. Smiley was a deacon, Sunday school teacher and an elder.
Smiley served on the AlabamaCoushatta Tribal Council for many years. In 1992, he was elected to serve the tribe as Second Chief. He was later elected and inaugurated as Principal or First Chief in 1995. Chief Oscola visited many schools and with many different groups to educate others about the AlabamaCoushatta people and their culture. He faithfully served as First Chief until his passing.
He was well noted for his long career as an outstanding fast pitch softball pitcher. He played and coached for the Texas Indians softball team and traveled throughout Texas and the surrounding states to play. Batters feared his fast ball.
In his spare time he would work on river cane and pine needle baskets, among other traditional crafts from his tribe. He had a great love for all sports and was a strong supporter of his familys involvement in school sports, as well as for the tribal and local youth.
Services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the MultiPurpose Center with internment to follow at Indian Reservation Tribal cemetery. Elder, Debbie BattiseKleinman and Brother David Busby will be officiating the services. Pall Bearers will be Smileys grandsons, Jeremy Sylestine, Christopher Anderson, Joshua Sylestine, Shaun Pittman, Micah Hoyt, Solomon Sylestine, Benjamin Anderson and Jaden Gray. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Texas Indians Softball Team, his Champion Coworkers, AlabamaCoushatta Tribal Council, Mr. Walt Broemer, John Davis, Joe Schneider, Wilburn Rowe, Thomas Sylestine, and William S. Sylestine.

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