James Feagin Sylestine, 55 of the Indian Reservation, passed away on September 16, 2020 at his home. He was born on July 17, 1965, in Woodville, Texas to Chief Oscola Clayton “Smiley” Sylestine and Iris Fern Bullock Williams. James, who was named after his paternal grandfather, was given the nickname Beaver by his older brother.
James Beaver is survived by his mom, Ethelyn Sylestine (Livingston), wife Maureen (Livingston), his children Destiny and Rickey Martinez (Livingston), Santana Sylestine (Livingston), Solomon Sylestine (Livingston), Janessa Sylestine (Livingston), Jackson Langley (Livingston), and Micah and Casey Raley (Arkansas); siblings Rick and Belinda Sylestine (Livingston), Hilda and Dee Ray Pittman (Magnolia, Texas), Pamela Anderson (Livingston), Duane Alec (Livingston), and Carlos Alec (Livingston); his grandchildren: Ashlyn, Grayson, Arabella, Jorden, Brantley, Serenity, Sterling, Stanton, Stetson, Dawson, Kayden, Uriah, Mya, Sawyer and one more on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is proceeded in death by his father and mother, brothers Gregory Sylestine, Jeffrey Alec, Mark Alec and Damon Alec, and grandson Maverick Sylestine.
Pall Bearers are Shaun Pittman, Jeremy Sylestine, Josh Sylestine, Roland Thompson, Derek Battise, Chad Alec, Kinney Alec, and Greg Cisna. Honorary Pall Bearers are Fose Broemer, Eldon Poncho, Delbert Johnson, Jim Price, Ron McKinney, Sigmar Hempel, and great-nephew Slade Williams.
Beaver was a member of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe and grew up on the Indian Reservation. He was a graduate of Livingston High School, class of 1983, and was a member of the Lions football, baseball, and basketball teams. He went on to play baseball for the College of the Ozarks, in Clarksville Arkansas. He worked as an electrician for more than 20 years. He played fast pitch softball as a pitcher for the Texas Indians. Beaver was a fancy/hoop dancer and performed in front of many crowds for schools and his tribe in his younger years. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports.
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