Michael C Brooks

Obituary For Michael C Brooks

Michael C. L. Brooks
Sunrise 4/26/1997 - Ascension 5/2/2023

However you know him, Lil Mike, Big Mike or Mike-Mike, he was born Michael Christopher Laquan Sabb on the morning of Saturday, April 26th, 1997 at Brooklyn Hospital, in NY. The first child of Michael Brooks and Tameka Brooks, Mike-Mike (as he was affectionately known by his family) was a joyful, personable, and inquisitive child. Blessed with his mother's charm and intelligence, and his father's humor and quick wit, he was the perfect culmination of his parents.

He began to read and comprehend at a very young age and his love for knowledge followed him throughout his life. Mike-Mike received his early education in the Brooklyn public school system, where he began to take an interest in sports, more specifically football. His lifelong love of football was cemented when he began playing for and excelling in a neighborhood league, known as The Brooklyn Titans.

Michael and Tameka pledged their family devotion when they married in 2006. They added to their family and were blessed with another child, Mike-Mike's younger brother, Mekhi. Mike-Mike was so proud and happy to be a big brother. He took his Big Brothering very seriously and ensured everyone knew Mekhi was his little brother. His natural curiosity led him to question why everyone in the house's surname was Brooks, except his. His parents were moved by the question and sought to correct that for him so they petitioned his name change and it became official, Michael C. L. Sabb became Michael C. L. Brooks. Name change and all, he remained the same Mike-Mike.

While growing up in Brooklyn, Mike-Mike was blessed with the love, care and support of both his grandmothers, both grandfathers, a multitude of aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins, all of whom loved on him dearly. He was a dual resident who spent summers in Blackville, SC with his maternal family and though he was only a seasonal resident, everyone knew and loved Mike-Mike.

During his senior year of Junior High school, Mike- Mike was afforded the opportunity to spend a few weeks touring Europe. That experience developed his interest of other cultures, standards and norms. Upon returning from Europe, he unpacked and repacked to make yet another trip...to his new residence in Apex, North Carolina. It was in Apex, that Mike-Mike was blessed to meet a new set of friends, many of whom became like family. Just as in Brooklyn and Blackville, Mike-Mike became well known around his neighborhood, in his school and in his new church home, Apex Baptist Church; so much so that he was adorned with the moniker Big Mike. Big Mike spearheaded his family's church involvement and displayed his commitment to a higher power when he gave his life to Christ and was baptized within the sanctuary of his beloved Apex Baptist at the tender age of 15.

While attending Holly Springs High School, from which he graduated in 2015, he played on the football team's defensive line, and in the off-season, he wrestled. While still in high school, Big Mike's 1st job into the service industry was with Chick-fil-A but he wasn't there long because according to him, "Nobody is 'THAT' Happy". He went on to work for Burger King, where he not only developed a skill for the kitchen but gained extensive customer service knowledge. Big Mike was a people person who absolutely loved working in the service industry because it afforded him the opportunity to develop many indelible relationships. He was able to hone his craft and become a sought-after chef de partie and sous chef before leaving this earthly realm.

Preceding him in death, were grandmothers Alean Brooks and Annie Sabb, as well as paternal grandfather James Moore. He leaves behind to carry on his spirit, parents Tameka and Michael Brooks, beloved younger brother Mekhi Brooks, maternal grandfather Walter Sabb, uncle Tyrone Sabb (Toni) (all of NC by way of NY), uncles Joseph Odom, Willie Brooks (NY), James Moore, Jr. (NC), Eric Brooks (RI), Paul Lawrence (NC by way of NY), aunts Jacqueline Brooks and Shanetta Lawrence (NY), great aunts Rutha Mae Watford, Brenda Brown, Linda Jones (Derrick), and Jacklyn Chambers (James) (SC), Marion Brown and Mary Sabb (NY), great uncles Bruce Sabb (NY), and Matthue Sabb (NC) Bobby Sabb (GA), Godmothers Jasmine Sabb (NC), and Kerneisha Bauer (SC), as well as a host of devoted family, friends and loved ones.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:14‭-‬15 NKJV

Wake: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Apex Baptist Church in Apex, NC 27502.

Funeral will be held at 12:00 pm Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Apex Baptist Church, 110 S. Salem Street in Apex, NC 27502.

Burial: Wake Memorial Park in Cary, NC.