Funeral services for Carol Battise, 70, of Livingston, Texas will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas with Elder Debra Battise Kleinman, C.R.E. officiating. Interment will follow in the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Carol Sylestine Battise was born on December 16, 1950, to Harry and Doris J. Sylestine.  She departed this world peacefully in her sleep and entered into her eternal rest on November 22, 2021.

She attended Big Sandy and Livingston Schools, graduating from Livingston High School in 1969.  She met and married her high school sweetheart, Donnis Battise, on August 7, 1970, and they enjoyed life together for 51 years. She attended Angelina College to study IBM courses and earned a certificate in Data Processing.  Carol lived all of her life on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, knew Tribal history, the Tribal clans, and being a member of the Turkey Clan herself, remembered all Tribal citizens through the various jobs she held with the Tribal government.  Prior to her retirement, she was employed as the Community Health Representative (CHR) for the Tribe's Chief Kina Indian Health Service (IHS).

Carol was multi-talented and creative, including beadwork, basket weaving, and sewing traditional clothes for friends and family. Although very accomplished, with many skills, she was most proud of having been elected to serve on the Tribal Council. She considered it a high honor to be placed in such a high position of trust by the community. In fact, she was the first woman to be elected to this position.  Also, she was happy with her role as a mother-in-residence, having helped raise the Alec kids, Tobine, Logan, and Portia. She was very proud of having served as the legal and loving guardian of Lily Ann E. Alec.

Carol is survived by her husband Donnis Battise and sister Jo Ann Battise (Arnold).  She leaves behind a host of nephews, nieces, and friends.  She will be greatly missed.  She was one of nine children, seven of whom preceded her in death:  her parents, siblings Terry Sylestine. Imogene Sylestine, Moree Poncho, Alton Lee Sylestine, Thomas Mason Sylestine, Denise Sylestine, and Mary Elizabeth Alec

Pallbearers were Kirk Battise, Derek Battise, Rodman Sylestine, David Battise, Jonathan Richard and Jordan Alec.  Honorary pallbearers were Beryl Battise, Livingston High School Class of 1969, Isabelle Celestine, and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Council.