Lavard Montell Brooks - Ralph

On April 4, 2024, God requested the presence of LaVard M. Brooks-Ralph to stand alongside him in Heaven. LaVard (affectionately known by family and friends as "Peeper") was born on May 6, 1983, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to Glynis G. Brooks-Ralph and Lavard Ralph (deceased). Peeper grew up on Suncrest Drive in Penn Hills where he attended William Penn Elementary, Linton Middle School and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 2002. He had many interests: his strong liking for cars led him to take vocational auto-body classes and additional art classes which allowed him to explore his creativity.

Peeper's love for art, music and electronics led him to an Internship with WAMO which would later become a part-time job. While at WAMO, he explored and learned radio production which he truly enjoyed. This led to him becoming a producer on several talk shows, and also where he gained his Radio & DJ name "BIG L'. As we all know, Peeper loved being on the mic and had no problem getting the party started or being the hype man to keep the party going.

As a young man, Peeper attended Carlow College where he studied business, and shortly after his corporate journey started at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Following his time at UPMC, he spent seven years employed by Allegheny Health Network, where he worked as a supervisor before transitioning to his most recent position with Philips Healthcare. His work with Philips as a Customer Service Technician led to him relocating to Atlanta in 2022.

While working and providing was a priority, spending time and creating new memories and experiences with his family were always at the top of his list. Peeper loved being a father and adored every moment he got to spend with his son, Carson. Whether it was going to car shows, spending time at the pool, making silly videos on their phones, memories were going to be made. He also loved his fiancee, Mercedes, and bonus daughters Aubrey and Aaliyah. As a family, they spent lots of time doing arts and crafts, having movie nights, and other family activities.

Spending time hosting, cooking, and entertaining is what kept Peeper going while he was here with us, and those unforgettable memories we all shared with him are what will keep his spirit alive in his absence.

Peeper was preceded in death by his father, Lavard Ralph; maternal grandparents, Bertha Mock and Calvin Pope; fraternal grandparents, Fred and Eva Ralph; step-grandmother Lois Fields; and best friend Jason Venson.

He leaves to mourn his fiancee, Mercedes Woody, son, Carson Brooks-Ralph; step-daughters, Aaliyah Miller and Aubrey Woody; mother, Glynis Brooks-Ralph, Step-father, Paul Fields; sister Whitney Brooks-Ralph; step-sisters, Ashley Brown and Amanda Ralph; brothers, Ivan Fields and Cameron Ralph; very close cousins: Shayla Cross, ShaQuayla Monroe, and Gregory Monroe; best friends: Bill Taylor, William Cooper, Damon "Tek" Webb; and a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

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