Obituary of Merrill Glenn Bell Carter

Merrill Glenn Bell-Carter was born on March 8, 1972, to Deborah Carter Bell and Merrill Bell Sr in East Meadow at Nassau County Medical Center. He was raised with his sister by a newly single yet strong mother. Merrill was 2 years old when he fell out of the 5th floor bathroom window. As his mother was crying about her baby, he climbed back up the fire escape and told his mother “Mommy don’t worry I fall” and on that day he was given the nickname “Kave Man.” Growing up, Kave was a book and street-smart kid with a soft speaking voice that made friends easily. Some made the mistake of taking his kindness for weakness and underestimated him. Many of those doubters tried him and experienced the “mess around and found out” that lived inside. Yes, I said it, my brother had hands. He was kind to others when kindness was needed. He was protective of others if he believed that protection was needed, and he was respectful, fearless, protective, adventurous, and helpful. Merrill always looked good! His love for fashion was unmatched. He attended PS 70 Elementary School in the Bronx, N.Y. until the young family of 3 moved to Roosevelt, New York in 1982. There he attended Washington Rose Elementary School and Roosevelt Jr./Sr. High School in Roosevelt, NY. As a young adult, Merrill was known to have the “gift of gab”. He had a beautiful smile and possessed the ability to speak to people both young and old. Kave was able to connect people with resources to help them and that is what made him stand out in a crowd. He was employed by different companies for short periods of time, but his free spirit and hustle mentality lead him down the path of entrepreneurship. He never seemed to be affected by stumbles or setbacks. Though sometimes the path was rocky and caused him to stumble, his falls were never a match against his determination and tenacity to succeed. Merrill relocated to Albany, NY to start the life he always wanted. He raised a family of 4 pit bulls (Carmela, Diva, Envi, Carmelo) that proceeded him in death and a Yorke (Bentley). Merrill also made friends that became part of his family. Merrill obtained his Class A CDL and his license for Cosmology. He proudly purchased his first home in Schenectady, N.Y.Inspired by life on the road and his unwavering love for fashion and styling, Merrill founded his company All Shades of Beauty LLC with plans to diversify his brand by adding a hair distribution company and mobile hair salon, Merrill was also an author. He wrote a book about the number 1 Hustling Diva in his life, his mother. He created a television series about all the other “divas, “ as he called them in his family, including the ones he met along the way. So if Kave called you a “Diva,” you were rated “tens across the board” as he would say. “If you weren’t living up to your known status, he would say “get it together” or “put it together.” Kave was a dreamer and creative soul & he lived he laughed he lovedand will forever be loved. He was preceded in death by his mother Deborah A Carter Bell, father Merrill, Marcia & Boe Hardy, Robert Myrant, Leola Duffy, Robin Barton Carter, and Elaine Porter. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving sister Kanise V. Brown affectionately known as “Keese” (Pastor Dennis Brown); Rafee Rasheed, Somalia Rasheed; His nephews and nieces Tommy (Lyntzia) and their four children Tommy Jr , Ta’myah , Tiana and Tyson; Takhilah her and sons Ryan and Robert Jr., Thomiek (Ayana) and their five children Ta’riyah, Ta’yani Ta’kayah, Yahawadah and Obadayah; Dysean and his three children Carmen, Dj and Tylor; His aunts and uncles Joan, Vera , Leo (Tarran), Jackie, Lance (Penny) and Freddy as well as a host of cousins and friends