Samuel Leon Ballard was born on March 31, 1948, in Nacogdoches Texas. The seventh child of seven children was born to the union of William H. Ballard and Lillie Smith Ballard. He entered his eternal rest on August 19, 2024.

     Samuel spent his childhood years in La Marque, TX. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966. He participated in the school choir and loved to sing. He graduated from Texas Southern University with a major in Biology & Chemistry.  Samuel accepted Christ at an early age. He united with Greater Bell Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Wiley L. Dunn.

     After graduation, Samuel was employed at America Canning Co. for 20 years. Later he relocated to Santa Clara, California, and was employed at Owens Corning for 20 years, where he retired. He served three years in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

     Samuel is preceded in death by his father, William H. Ballard; mother, Lillie B. Ballard, two sisters, Nelda Loud, and Lillie Godfrey; two brothers, Kenneth Ballard, and W. Lee Mare Ballard.

     Left to celebrate his homegoing are two sisters, Lura D. Ballard, and Clara J. Ballard both of Texas City; nieces, Charlotte Gardner, Pamela Petteway, LaShon Ballard, Yolunda Ballard, & Betty Duplechain, nephews, Troy L. Ballard, William L. Ballard, Jr., Reginald D. Ballard, Adrian Ballard, & James Ballard all of Houston, TX a host of relatives & friends.