Mr. Earnest Ray Burnell

Earnest was born on October 19, 1943 and passed away on June 9, 2018 at the age of 74 years. He was the last of nine children born in Shreveport, Louisiana to the union of Edmond and Ruth (Hawkins) Burnell. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, LA and came to Saginaw, MI in August 1965 after graduating from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Earnest loved the Lord. Upon his arrival in Saginaw, he joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and its choir. He loved music, and loved using his powerful baritone voice to sing praises to the Lord. He served as the Choir Director as well as the Church Treasurer for many years. He married Lorene Hall in 1968, and in 1971 they began to raise a family. Together they had two children, Anitra Margaret and Daniel Floyd. He taught special education and science at Ricker Middle School, grades 7th, 8th, and 9th in Buena Vista Township. Later he moved to the Saginaw Public School System where he taught Intermediate Special Education grades 4th, 5th and 6th. His first administration experience was Summer school at Crary Lincoln Elementary School. In 1971 he became principal at Morley School, later he was the Principal/Supervisor at Handley School. He was also the Program Director for “Children with Exceptional Needs”, and finally Principal of Longfellow Elementary School. Earnest loved to cook and he would often prepare meals for his staff to eat during meetings. After 32 years of loyal educational service, Earnest retired from the Saginaw Pubic School System in 1997 as the Principal of Longfellow Elementary School. In March of 1981, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. As an Omega Man, he served as Vice Basileus at the Chi Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Saginaw and served as Dean of Pledges, as well as Youth Advisor for five years. He was a recipient of the “Omega Man of The Year Award” and the recipient of the 2016 “Omega Legacy Award”. Mr. Burnell was also an entrepreneur for many years; he operated a learning center called Learning to Everyone. After retiring, he became part owner of the Quality Performance Resource Group. Earnest also supervised Student Teachers at Saginaw Valley State University, taught an Education Methods course and was a Field Consultant at Bay Mills Community College. Earnest was a strong, proud man who loved to laugh, teach and serve his community. He volunteered several years with Habitat for Humanity, filled food bags at the Rescue Mission and filled and distributed bags for Toys for Tots. He held many positions with Gideon’s International and sang at many of their faith fund rallies. He was also a board member of the Team One Credit Union for 25 years. In 2006 Earnest joined Faith Harvest Church and soon after, he became a member of the praise team offering his musical expertise and support to the group. Earnest loved his family. From cooking breakfast before school to making Sunday dinner after church, he was always providing love and support. He took his wife, children, and grandchildren on numerous vacations over the years and enjoyed spending time seeing different places with them. He also liked to go fishing with his brother Johnny, children and grandchildren and even got Lorene to go a few times. He liked to dance and was definitely the life of the party. You could hear his infectious laugh and voice in a crowded room above all others. His generosity as a brother, as a man, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather cannot be measured. He touched many people over his lifetime and will be really missed by all who knew him. He is finally at peace and able to rest. Good job “Mr. B”! Earnest is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Lorene; his three children, Rosalind Nelor, Anitra Burnell-Harris and Daniel (Malaika) Burnell; seven grandchildren, Rory Nelor, Marco Nelor, Chanel Sykes, Makiah Burnell, Davin Burnell, Austin Harris and Brookelynn Harris; six great-grandchildren, Taelor Nelor, Rory Nelor II, Collin Nelor, Hayleigh Taylor, Kinsley Sykes, and Dother Sykes V; three brothers, Grady Burnell, Mack (Iris) Burnell and John (Hazel) Burnell; one sister, Mildred Jackson and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Earnest was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond Burnell and Ruth (Hawkins) Burnell; two brothers, Fields Mays and Laurence Burnell; two sisters, Doris Mays and Bobbie (Burnell) Walker. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Faith Harvest Church, 1734 North Mason, Saginaw, MI 48602. Pastor Ronald E. Chipp will officiate. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607 on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Omega Psi Phi memorial service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. From the family of Earnest Burnell: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the: The Earnest Burnell Scholarship Fund c/o Team One Credit Union 520 Hayden St, Saginaw MI 48607.

Mr. Earnest Ray Burnell

October 19, 1943 - June 9, 2018