Berril Evans Carter

In Loving Memory of Berril Evans Carter

Mrs. Berril Evans Carter was born on October 26, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Vivian and Madeline (Barker) Evans.  She is the mother of five and the twin sister of Lillian Evans Lowe.  Berril passed away peacefully on Monday, May 13, 2024 with her daughter Marcia Carter by her side.

Berril was raised in Barbados, West Indies after the passing of her mother Madeline in 1927.  She attended St. Michaels Girl School in Barbados where she excelled in her studies and enjoyed cooking and homemaking courses.  Berril returned to the United States in February 1957 at age 33 and settled in Cambridge, MA with the love and support of a network of Barbadian women – Violet Heywood, Daisy Grant, Aunt Leotta, Nanny Davis – that helped her navigate living and working in the US. 

Berril became a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal of Cambridge in 1957.  She joined the senior choir and was a founding member of the Fortnightly’s Women’s Club for many decades.  She married Clarence Carter on December 24, 1960 at St. Bartholomew’s and they lived on Callender Street with their children – Julie, Marcia and Lorenzo.  She moved to Pleasant Street in Cambridge in 1970 and Gladeside Avenue in Mattapan, MA in 1979 resided there until her passing.  She was a great cook and loved to bake coconut bread and make other special dishes from Barbados. fish.  She was a fan of wrestling, figure skating and watching the soap operas and game shows.  Her kindness, warmth and welcoming spirit attracted people to her.  She was always pleasant and happy to see you, greeting you with a smile and a warm embrace - you knew you were loved.

Berril loved to sing her hymns and remembered all the old hymns from her days at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Barbados.  She read her Daily Word every morning before starting her day.  There was always a song in her heart, a calming presence and was always happy and peaceful.  Love was her language and she was loving, compassionate and kind.  Everyone loved her and called her Gramps, Aunt Bee or Ma Carter.  She was always well dressed and sophisticated.  She loved to wear the suits and dresses that Marcia bought for her from New York.  Everyone always commented on her unique and elegant wardrobe and matching accessories – of course.  She liked to look good, get dressed up – always appropriately stylish and fashionable.

Berril began her career working in Food Service at Mt. Auburn Hospital in 1957.  She later worked as a Housekeeper for Erich Segal – Love Story Author, the Levee and Phinney families in Cambridge and Belmont.  She joined the food service staff at Hyatt Regency Boston when it opened in September 1976 and retired in 1986 at the age of 62.  She always wanted to be an interior designer but there weren’t many options available for women of color in the 60’s and 70’s.  That didn’t curtail her desire for interior design she simply practiced her skills at home always rearranging furniture, pictures and changing the draperies to have a fresh and inviting appearance. Everything was always clean and beautiful.  

Berril was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Carter in 2013; children, Marva Evans (2014), Julie Evans (2017), Horrace Evans (2020) and Lorenzo Carter (2022); and twin sister Lillian Evans Lowe (2022).  Berril leaves to cherish her memories her loving daughter Marcia Carter and devoted grandson Paul Evans; grandchildren: Paul Evans, Robert Evans, April Evans Matthews, David Evans, Tyrone Evans, Michelle Evans John Evans; great grandchildren: Paul Wesley Thomas (Evans), Christopher Evans, Mandela Evans, Robert Evans Jr. Sarafina Evans, Traye Matthews, Toi Matthews, Berril Evans, Amanda Evans, Onyx Evans, Keren Evans, Deanna Evans, Christina Evans, Tyrone Evans II, Monique Evans, Kayla Evans, Asley Evans,  Evelyn Evans, Cole Evans; 17 great, great grandchildren; nieces/nephews:  The Carter, Catwell, Evans-Bonadee, Lowe, Morris-Moore, Reed families; close friends: Vashtine Weir, Eurine Lashley, Amelia Taylor that loved her dearly and called her Sister.  And, extended family and dear friends that celebrate her life and homecoming with all of us.  

Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/WZVQ07Ecfu8?si=fJnTMdPh-gNj52QE

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