Ronnie Brooks' Obituary
Ronnie Levell Brooks, 62, of Chattanooga, TN, affectionately known as “Brooks,” was born on June 10, 1962, and departed from this life on January 18, 2025. He transitioned unexpectedly but peacefully at his residence. He was a dedicated family member and Prince Hall Mason member of Lodge Mt. Moriah No. 14. At a young age, he was a member of the Chattanooga Boys Club, where he participated in the musical pageant “Reach for a Star,” and also became an excellent pool shark, swimmer, tennis player, foosball, and ping pong champion. He was very mechanically inclined. He enjoyed fishing, building clubhouses, strumming the guitar, customizing bicycles, building go-carts, and riding mini-bikes. As a youngster, he compared his life to the mischievous Dennis the Menace, who often made the lives of his neighbors challenging with his overactive energy and unintended troublemaking. He was a proud Trojan graduate of Riverside High School’s class of 1980. He attended Chattanooga Business College following graduation. He had a thirst for knowledge and often spent time researching topics of interest. He had many professions throughout his life. He worked as a skilled tradesman in brick masonry and residential and commercial renovation for most of his life. He had a natural knack for effortlessly preparing and cooking meals, often characterized by an intuitive understanding of flavors, cooking techniques, and ingredient combinations. Early in life, he became a chef at three popular restaurants, The Loft, Fehn’s, and the Sailmaker, later renamed the Fifth Quarter. He was fortunate to work at each restaurant alongside his fellow chef and longtime childhood friend Eric Thomas, who preceded Ronnie in death in 2021. Our late grandmother, Naomi Brooks, often made Ronnie remove his uniform at the door because it always reeked of grease and seafood. Their tug-of-war shenanigans were hilarious!
His most incredible pride and joy came from his children and spending time with his family and friends. His loving terms of endearment spoken to his children without fail were, “I luh ya Kid.” His favorite terms of endearment for his siblings were, “That’s my Big sis,” That’s my Lil sis,” and “That’s my Lil bro.” Uncle Ronnie held a deep love in his heart for his nieces and nephews. If needed, he was on the way. He was a vibrant soul who embraced life with unbridled passion and lived each day to the fullest. He loved to dress to impress and always preferred white sneakers to complement his outfit. He often expressed his thoughts about how brief life can be. His exact words about his personal life were, “Ima ball til’ I fall,” and he did just that! He was a true “closet” comedian. His journey on earth was marked by his infectious laughter, adventurous spirit, and unwavering kindness to people from all walks of life. Like a proud peacock, he enjoyed participating and sharing the joy of a family member’s accomplishments. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered. He left us with many funny and fond memories of his time with us. Whether riding motorcycles, traveling, watching movies, attending sporting events, exploring new things, attending dog shows, or simply sharing stories with family and friends, he always sought new experiences and cherished every moment. He loved children, who seemed to flock to him whenever he went. He coached AAU basketball and personally coached his daughter Destiny. He leaves a legacy of love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for life's simple joys.
In an intimate setting with family, he was excited to share his testimony about his journey of repentance to dedicating his life to Christ. He was often emotionally overcome when he spoke about the spiritual growth he had begun to witness in his life, which he rightfully attributed to his personal relationship with God. God granted him an unwavering spirit to find the strength to rise against obstacle after obstacle. Although Ronnie’s physical presence may no longer grace our lives, we ask that you remember the celebration of his life and its impact on those who had the pleasure of knowing him. This is not the end for him, but the beginning of his Kingdom life. Just as his devotion to family was paramount, the most crucial decision of his life was to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, which guaranteed his eternal life. It is the most incredible legacy anyone could ever leave behind. This assurance is priceless, and our hearts are overjoyed. He chose not to continue looking back at his past in the rearview mirror but to shed the bondage through repentance and prayer, desiring to live in the present by choosing the path less traveled and setting an example of God’s wisdom for making better decisions in life. This will be his legacy for us. Ronnie, rest easy and enjoy your heavenly home.
John 14: “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.
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