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Heaven welcomed an angel from Earth with the passing of Thelma Jewell Battise Flores on August 19, 2026. A lifelong resident of Polk County, she was born on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation on August 17, 1928 to Andrew and Eliza Battise. She was a graduate of Big Sandy High School, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Livingston, and an avid fan of the Houston Astros . Her professional life consisted of caring for patients at area nursing homes. She was a daily watcher of her favorite daytime gameshow, The Price Is Right and even attended a taping of the show a few years ago.
She spent over 55 years with the love of her life, Ollie Valdez Flores, Sr. Their love was defined by humor, compassion, and a large family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Eliza; her love, Ollie; her brothers, McClamroch Battise, Andrew Battise Jr. and Roger Battise; her sisters, Barbara Stafford and Elizabeth Bear; her son, Steven Flores; her grandsons, Carlos Bullock and William Begay. She is survived by her daughters: Billie Sue and Norman Williams of Livingston; Myra Sylestine, Anite and Gary Bullock, Sr., Genny Bullock, Olivia Abbey, and Cecilia Flores of the Reservation; and her sons: Ollie Jr. and Debbie Flores and Lilo Flores of Livingston, and George Sr. and Sonia Flores of the Reservation. Her legacy continues through 27 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 29 great-great grandchildren.
Pallbearers are Reginald Sylestine, Keith Bullock, Tyler Abbey, Rodman Sylestine, Ollie “Tre†Flores III, Gary Bullock Jr., Martine Begay, and George Flores Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers are Mikko Choba Chief Kanicu Donnis Battise, Mikko Istimatokla Chief Maanaatiika Herbert Johnson, Jr., Wilson Mullins, and James Bear.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 22 at 10am held at the Alabama-Coushatta Multi Purpose Center. Funeral service at 11am. Interment will follow at Peebles Cemetery.
Services are in the care of Pace Funeral Home. Please leave online condolences at www.pacefuneral.com.
She spent over 55 years with the love of her life, Ollie Valdez Flores, Sr. Their love was defined by humor, compassion, and a large family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Eliza; her love, Ollie; her brothers, McClamroch Battise, Andrew Battise Jr. and Roger Battise; her sisters, Barbara Stafford and Elizabeth Bear; her son, Steven Flores; her grandsons, Carlos Bullock and William Begay. She is survived by her daughters: Billie Sue and Norman Williams of Livingston; Myra Sylestine, Anite and Gary Bullock, Sr., Genny Bullock, Olivia Abbey, and Cecilia Flores of the Reservation; and her sons: Ollie Jr. and Debbie Flores and Lilo Flores of Livingston, and George Sr. and Sonia Flores of the Reservation. Her legacy continues through 27 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 29 great-great grandchildren.
Pallbearers are Reginald Sylestine, Keith Bullock, Tyler Abbey, Rodman Sylestine, Ollie “Tre†Flores III, Gary Bullock Jr., Martine Begay, and George Flores Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers are Mikko Choba Chief Kanicu Donnis Battise, Mikko Istimatokla Chief Maanaatiika Herbert Johnson, Jr., Wilson Mullins, and James Bear.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 22 at 10am held at the Alabama-Coushatta Multi Purpose Center. Funeral service at 11am. Interment will follow at Peebles Cemetery.
Services are in the care of Pace Funeral Home. Please leave online condolences at www.pacefuneral.com.