Rossi David Brooks was born on Saturday, February 21, 1948 to the late James Dudley Brooks and Lillie Pecolia Fleming-Brooks. He was the fourth of seven siblings. He received his education in the Philadelphia school system, graduating in 1965 from Thomas Edison High School.

A union carpenter by trade, Rossi received his training from Spring Garden Institute and went on to work more than twenty years for various major construction companies. Afterwards, he had many other jobs, but the one he enjoyed most was driving the van for the Addiction Unit of the Consortium. He was passionate about supporting, encouraging and depositing the love of Jesus in the women who were trying to make positive changes in their lives.

On July 26, 1980 he married the love of his life Cynthia Brooks and to that union were born Rasaan Brooks and Rashida Middleton née Brooks. Family was the most important thing to him second only to Christ.

When Rossi accepted Jesus as his Savior, his life was forever changed. His love for Jesus shined through in all he did. There is not a person he knew who was not touched by his kindness and compassion whether through photography, videography, advice or service to others.

He loved being a member of Illumination Ministries, especially the prison ministries at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and the State Correctional Institute at Dallas. Pouring into the men both during their incarceration as well as after their release brought him immense joy.

Rossi did everything unto the Lord which meant he went above and beyond at all times! He had a servant's heart so much so that it was incredibly challenging finding photos of him because he was always behind the camera documenting the lives of others.

In addition to his parents, Rossi was preceded in death by his son, Rasaan Brooks, and four siblings Hazel (Clifford) Brooks-Rucker, Kelly Brooks, Anthony Brooks and Vanessa Brooks.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Cynthia Brooks; daughter, Rashida (Ryan) Middleton; his brother and sister, Frank Brooks and Irene Brooks-Harshaw; sisters-in-law Ellen and Mary Ann Woodson and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.