Ethelyn Cecile Battise Sylestine of the Indian Reservation was born on May 3, 1937, in Seven Oaks, Texas to Ceasar and Ivey Battise. Mrs. Sylestine passed away in Lufkin, Texas on March 9, 2023 surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her sister Naomi Battise of Livingston; brother Chief Kanicu, Donnis Battise of Livingston; daughter Hilda Sylestine Pittman and husband Dee Ray of Livingston; son Ricky Sylestine and wife Belinda of Livingston; 13 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mrs. Sylestine is preceded in death by her parents, husband Clayton Sylestine, brother, Jerry Thompson, son James F. Sylestine, and great grandson Maverick Sylestine.
Ethelyn graduated from high school in 1956 and went on to attend Texas Woman’s University. She returned to Livingston to work as an early childhood educator at HeadStart on the Indian Reservation. She later married Clayton Sylestine in 1971 and together they raised three children. In 1985 she graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a teaching degree and began her career as an elementary teacher at Big Sandy Dallardsville. Mrs. Sylestine taught many children in Polk County and maybe some of their children before settling into retirement. During the summer she could be found in the family garden, or at a ball game of some kind. She did a lot of travelling to ball games, for her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, students, and anyone who invited her. She enjoyed gathering with family and friends over a bite to eat, especially if she was not the one cooking. She was famous for her biscuits, chicken dressing, potato salad and Big Sandy punch. She was a faithful member of the Indian Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir. Mrs. Sylestine was also part of the ”puzzle ladies” group.
She will always be remembered for her ability to care for anyone who needed it, ask a million questions, and her love of Elvis Presley, George Strait, and old time gospel hymns.
Funeral services for Mrs. Sylestine will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Pace Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas with internment following at the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation. Pall Bears are Slade Williams, Josh Sylestine, Shaun Pittman, Derek Battise, David Battise, Patrick Battise, Jalen Abbey, and Dee Ray Pittman.
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