Anthony W. Brooks

Anthony “Amp” Wayne Brooks, 44, gained his Heavenly wings on September 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Amp was born February 27, 1981, in Akron, Ohio, to Anthony W. Pickett and Victoria Jackson. Amp was a Northside original but made the entire city of Akron his stomping grounds. He attended Akron Public Schools and achieved his diploma and certification at Youth Build Trade School in 1999. Upon completion, he was briefly employed in construction and then switched his interest to the restaurant industry and enjoyed working as a cook, until becoming an independent contractor.

Anthony was a social butterfly, and it seemed he never met a stranger. If he heard you were having a cookout, he was there -- dancing and vibing! He liked to travel, loved sports and cars of all kinds.

He had an exceptional personality and was a lover of selfies. If he ever saw you out, he would capture the moment with a selfie. His dad jokingly dubbed him the “Postmaster” in reference to his constant presence on Facebook, posting his group selfies.

But what Anthony really treasured was his family and friends. He embraced life and its challenges without complaints. Throughout the struggle he treated each day as a blessing.

Anthony was preceded in death by grandparents Betty and Obie Brooks; aunt, Tarra Brooks; uncles, Rodney Boyer and Mark Brooks; stepdad, Michael Jackson; nephew, Tristan Brown; cousins, Donte Brooks and Darrick Boyer; brothers-in-spirit, Donald Martin and Brandon Ellerson.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory, his son Jaylen Brooks-Ellerson; along with (Geovonie, Devon, Tre’, Anthony, Damian, and JaeQuan); his mother, Victoria Jackson; father and stepmother Anthony W. and Stacie Pickett; brothers, Anton and Allen Pickett; sisters, Stacey Brooks, Svonne Hill, Shannon and Shawntae Jackson and Tracie Pickett; grandmothers, Betty Addie and Avie Boyer; aunts, Susan Brooks, Cheryl Irvin, Wannie McDougal, and Rosalyn Thomas; uncles, Thomas Alexander, Robert Clark, Timmy Clark, Reggie (Tracy) Boyer, Jihad Iddin, Ralph “Peaches” Pickett, Tony Sutton and Daren (Simone) Williams; Special nieces Ta’Vyn Brown and Sevyn Jackson; special cousin Darius “DP” Pickett and friend Sherman Murdock; and the mother of his only son, Dana Ellerson; and a host of other relatives and friends.