Mannis Reeves Samuels was born September 17, 1961 in Charlottesville, Virginia to Dolly Samuels and Mannis R. Wesley. He was raised in love by the late Rovelor and Ruth Crenshaw Harris in Radiant, Virginia. He departed this life on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.

Mannis was united in matrimony to Carmen Dionne Davidson on December 27, 1986. They were married for 34 years and with this union came their most precious gifts from above, Courtney Dionne Samuels and Chelsea Reeves Samuels.

Mannis was educated in Virginia, graduating from Madison County High, Madison, Virginia, the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia with a degree in Political Science and Journalism, and The University of Phoenix receiving a Masters in Public Administration. Mannis had a quiet and creative soul, he was an artist and an poet.

Professionally, Mannis's resume is diverse.  After graduating Mannis moved to Seattle, Washington working with family at Wright Electric. Upon moving back to the east coast, he became the host of a news show on the radio in Washington, DC.  He later joined the United States Army serving his country from September 29, 1986 until his honorable discharge on April 4, 1993. During his tour of duty, Mannis served as a recruiter, marketing specialist and journalist for the DC Army National Guard. After moving to Phenix City, he started in banking, working for Regions, Suntrust and Barnett Bank before starting his own company Eye 2 Eye Services, LLC which was a distributor of safety products and governmental janitorial contracting.

At an early age Mannis was baptized at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Radiant, Virginia. Upon moving to Phenix City, he joined Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In the local community, Mannis "Sam" Samuels was a member of the East Alabama African American Chamber of Commerce (EAACC) and United to Save Ourselves (USO) and the American Legion. Sam had a love for his yard and for cooking, especially grilling and loved to share with anyone wanting 'a plate.'

He was proceeded in death by his father, Mannis R. Wesley,  Rovelor and Ruth Crenshaw Harris, who raised him, and his brother in laws, Clemmie Luther Davidson and Charles Deryl Davidson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Carmen D. Samuels, his daughters: Courtney Dionne Samuels, Phenix City, Al, Chelsea Reeves Samuels, Mobile, Al his sister Bridgette M Greene (Lloyd), Madison, VA; brothers, Vincent R. Samuels and son Jordan W. Collins, Philadelphia, PA; Brian Minor, Charlottesville, VA;  Harold Wright (Jackie), Demoines,WA; sisters-in law-Mae (Gregory) Browning, Roanoke Rapids, NC, Carla (Willie) Long, Fortson, GA, Henri Davidson, Phenix City, Al; brother-in-law Damian Davidson, Petersburg, VA; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.