Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at New Hope Freewill Baptist Church; 88 Snowfield Road SE, Leland, NC.  Burial will follow in the Summerville AME Zion Church Cemetery, Leland, NC.  Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.

Santee Leon Graham-Bell, affectionately known as "Burger", son of the late Jimmy Bell and Linda Graham-Muhammad, was born on November 11,1975, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on May 23, 2025.  Early Life and Education: Santee began his rearing in the Old Town community of Brunswick County, NC. While living in Takoma Park, Maryland, he attended Rolling Terrace Elementary School. In 1986, Santee and his mother relocated back to North Carolina, where he continued his education at Leland Middle School. As an active student, Santee participated in the band, JROTC, and he was a stand-out football player. In 1994, Santee graduated from North Brunswick High Schools.  Career, Passions & Impact: After graduating high school, Santee played for the Carolina Stars Semi-Professional football team. He also furthered his education at Cape Fear Community College, where he was certified as a skilled Brick Mason. Later in life, Santee studied and successfully completed all necessary requirements to become a licensed North Carolina Barber from T & I Barber School, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He received constant encouragement and guidance from his instructor who would often make personal check-in phone calls to his mother and Uncle Kevin to keep him on track. Once licensed as a skilled barber, Santee honed his skills under the apprenticeship of Mr. Johnnie T. Bibbs, a Wilmington, North Carolina barber, for over 70 years. Upon Mr. Bibb's death in 2023, Santee took on sole proprietorship of Thompson's Barbershop on Dawson Street; a place of refuge, conversation, and laughter for many of his family members, friends, and patrons; of note, Uncle Hank, Uncle Kevin, Aaron, Michael, Malik Fred, JL,TJ, LJ, Terry, Gary, Candice, Adrian, and Quintel. Santee's entertaining, his gentle, a lively spirit could lighten a room, no matter the circumstances. Being an only child, his cousins, on both sides of his family, were like his siblings, especially O' Keon Wilson, who preceded him in death. Santee loved FAMILY, four-wheeling, football, driving fast, and of course a good meal. He was also an original start-up member of Millennium Sport Bike Riders of NC, Inc. (MSR-NC). Legacy:  Santee was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Leon Bell; maternal grandparents, Malon and Dora Graham, paternal grandparents Joe and Inez Bell; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: Mother, Linda Graham Muhammad, of Winnabow, NC; children, Rochelle Brown and Joseph Graham, of Leland, NC, and Christopher Graham, of Wilmington, NC; nine uncles, Kenneth Graham of Los Angeles, CA, Marvin Graham (Pertenia), of Wilmington, NC, Julius Graham (Kathy) of Leland, NC, Kevin Graham (Adrienne) of Wilmington, NC, Henry Bell (Linder), J L Bell, Warren Bell, Harry Bell of Leland, NC, and Lonnie McKoy of Cumming, GA; seven aunts, Ines Rockmore of Leland, NC, Edith Blanks of Winnabow, NC, Sylvia Muhammad of Mechanicsburg, PA, Julia Grady of Atlanta, GA, Lula McMillan of Hamden, CT, Shirley Bell of Columbus, SC, and Loretta Bell of Wilmington, NC; bonus sister, Felicia Clair and a host of cousins and life-long friends. Santee was warm-hearted, he had a gentle spirit, and a great sense of humor. To know him, was to love him, his life and legacy will be cherished by all who knew him.