Earnest Samuel was born on March 29, 1942, in Bleakwood, Kirbyville, Texas, to parents Corene and Theodore Samuel, Sr. He was one of ten children, having five sisters and four brothers. He attended Rockzion C.O.G.I.C. in his early youth and later continued upon his return to the Bleakwood Community.

Earnest attended his earlier years of school in Biloxi, and in his later years he attended Liberty High School. He worked in the logging industry, eventually having his own contract for cutting logs. He worked for various contractors for many years until his health began to fail him.

Earnest met and married Katherine Land, and together they had one daughter and two sons, who learned their strong work ethic from their father, a hard worker. Earnest loved to tell jokes, laugh, and watch sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He also had a great knowledge of family history, which will be missed. Earnest departed this earth on January 6, 2025. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Corene and Theodore Samuel, Sr.; brothers, Theodore Samuel, Jr., Joe Lewis, and Jimmy Ray Samuel; and sisters, Lois Traylor and Mable Samuel Bennett.

Many memories of Earnest will be cherished by his wife, Katherine Samuel; daughter, Lisa Citizen (John); daughter, Paris Redd; sons, Douglas and Brian Samuel (Glenda); grandchildren, Kendric (Adriane), Kimiko (Clarence), Kendra (Anthony), Kerrick, and McKenzie Reece ; great-grandchildren Antonio, Kaia, Christian; brother, Eugene Samuel; and sisters, Rosetta Franks, Willie Mae Bennett, and Shirley Adams (Sammy).