Sherian Kaye McGlothen

REMEMBERING

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF

Sherian

KAYE MCGLOTHEN

A LIFE OF FAITH, FAMILY, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

Sherian Kaye Zanders-McGlothen’s time began on November 12, 1960, at 11:57 p.m. in Denver, Colorado, and her earthly journey came to a close on July 29, 2026, at 5:52 p.m. at UCHealth Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

From the very beginning, Sherian possessed a bright, bubbly, and joyful spirit that would remain with her throughout her life. The eldest of five children born to Bill and Anne Zanders, Sherian grew up surrounded by family, laughter, faith, and love. She shared the special bond of twinhood with her sister, Sheila, and grew up alongside her younger siblings, Willinda, Bill Jr., and Marilyn. Her early years were filled with the warmth of a close family, and the values of faith, togetherness, hard work, and service instilled during those years became the foundation upon which she built her life.

Sherian accepted Christ at an early age, beginning a lifelong relationship with God that guided her through every season. Her faith was not simply something she professed; it was something she lived. Through her family, her career, her church, and her service to others, Sherian spent her life pouring love, wisdom, encouragement, and compassion into those around her.

A LIFE DEDICATED TO EDUCATION

Education was not simply Sherian’s profession, it was one of her greatest callings. Her teaching journey began in Denver, Colorado, at Union Baptist Church in 1982. Even in those early years, Sherian demonstrated the remarkable work ethic that would characterize her entire life. While pursuing her passion for education, she worked as a manager at McDonald’s, at Cherry Creek Preschool, Montgomery Ward, and the Denver Broncos Training Camp. Each experience became another chapter in the story of a woman who understood the value of hard work, perseverance, and pursuing a greater purpose.

Sherian’s professional journey in education would eventually span more than three decades and touch countless classrooms, schools, teachers, students, and families. She taught at Edison Elementary School in Colorado Springs before continuing her educational career in Nevada. Throughout the years, she served students and educators at schools including Louis E. Roe Elementary School, Hal Smith Elementary School, Sunrise Acres Elementary School, Wendell P. Williams Elementary, and Marc Kahre Elementary School. Her work extended beyond the classroom as she trained and supported fellow educators through the Regional Professional Development Program (RPDP) before transitioning into school administration and serving as a principal.

For 34 years, Sherian faithfully served the Clark County School District. Her commitment to education was recognized through numerous honors and accomplishments, including being named Clark County Teacher of the Year. She was also among the first founders of Nevada State High School, demonstrating her commitment not only to educating students but also to creating opportunities that would continue long after her own time in the classroom.

Sherian believed deeply in education and remained a student herself throughout her life. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Colorado, followed by her first master’s degree from Colorado College and a second master’s degree from the University of Phoenix in Arizona, furthering her studies in educational leadership and administration. Her dedication to becoming an even stronger educational leader also led her to Harvard University, where she earned a certificate in Instructional Leadership.

For Sherian, however, the true measure of an educator was never found in degrees, certificates, awards, or titles. It was found in people. It was found in the child who finally understood. The student who discovered confidence. The teacher who became better because Sherian took the time to mentor them. The school that became stronger because she cared. And the generations of people who would carry something she taught them long after leaving her classroom.

A WOMAN OF FAITH

At the center of Sherian’s life was her relationship with God. Having received Christ at an early age, Sherian faithfully served the Lord throughout her life. She first served at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, True Love Baptist Church and later continued her ministry at Unity Baptist Church. Her service took many forms, including Youth Choir Director, youth Bible study (BTU) instructor, Praise and Dance Team Advisor, member of the Women’s Ministry, and Vacation Bible School instructor. Music held a particularly special place in Sherian’s heart, and she joyfully praised God through the ministry of music. She participated with the Gospel Music Workshop of America and lent her voice and spirit to multiple choirs at Unity Baptist Church.

Whether she was directing children, teaching the Word, singing in a choir, mentoring young people, or simply offering encouragement to someone who needed it, Sherian understood her life as an opportunity to serve. God was not merely someone Sherian spoke about, He was the leader of her life. As sisterhood, service, and community Sherian also believed deeply in sisterhood and community service. In 1979, she crossed into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, beginning a lifelong connection to the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. She was also a proud member of the Charms of Las Vegas.

Throughout her life, Sherian participated in numerous community service efforts and supported organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and women. Helping others was never something she did for recognition. It was simply part of who she was. Sherian believed that when you were blessed, you had a responsibility to be a blessing to someone else. Too Blessed to Be Stressed.

For all of Sherian’s professional accomplishments and commitments to service, she also knew how to enjoy the life God had given her. She loved music, bowling, card games, track and field, and movies. She treasured family gatherings, fellowship, laughter, and making memories with the people she loved. Those who knew Sherian will remember the phrases that so perfectly captured her outlook on life: “I’m too blessed to be stressed.” and “Teamwork makes the dream work.” These were more than sayings. They reflected the optimism, faith, and joyful spirit with which Sherian approached both life’s celebrations and its challenges.

That faith became especially important during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. In January 2024, Sherian was diagnosed with cancer. She faced her journey with the same faith, courage, and concern for others that had defined her life. Even during her illness, Sherian remained a teacher. She wanted her experience to become something that could educate, protect, and empower her family for generations to come.

In Sherian’s own words: “Greetings from Sherian McGlothen, daughter of Bill and Anne Zanders. It has been a journey but I am faithful that God has me. The one thing that I learned is that family medical history is important. We tend to keep the history of our family members present and past. However it is essential to start a genetic medical history of your family. It is so important to know your family and medical history. I want to thank all my family members for sharing their love with me during this journey. May God continue to bless our family.” Even in the midst of her own journey, Sherian was still teaching. Still serving. Still thinking about her family. Still trusting God. That was Sherian.

HER LEGACY

Sherian was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents and her beloved son, Undrea Hinkston.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her devoted parents, Bill and Anne Zanders of Denver, Colorado; her three beloved daughters, Anndrea “Annie” (Jensen) Thomassen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Kendra McGlothen of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kira McGlothen of Dallas, Texas; and her cherished grandsons, Arthur and Archer of Las Vegas, Nevada.

She also leaves her brother, Bill (Charlotte) Zanders Jr. of Denver, Colorado; her twin sister, Sheila (David) Williams of Hinesville, Georgia; her sisters, Willinda Maultsby of Denver, Colorado, and Marilyn (Steven) Howard of Windsor, Connecticut; her aunts and uncles; and her dear friend of 53 years, Laura Vasquez of Littleton, Colorado, who shared a lifetime of friendship with Sherian and served as Annie’s godmother.

Sherian also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, sorority sisters, church family, colleagues, educators, former students, friends, and loved ones whose lives are better because Sherian was part of them. Thirty-four years can measure the length of a career, but they cannot measure Sherian’s impact. Degrees and awards can recognize achievement, but they cannot capture the number of people she encouraged. Titles can describe the positions she held, but they cannot describe the love with which she served.

Sherian’s legacy lives in her children and grandchildren. It lives in the students she taught, the teachers she trained, the schools she helped lead, the children she ministered to, the songs she sang, the women she supported, the friendships she nurtured, and every person who encountered her bright, bubbly spirit and unmistakable light. She spent her life educating minds, encouraging hearts, serving her community, loving her family, and praising her God.

Sherian Kaye McGlothen was a teacher by profession, an educator by calling, a servant by nature, and a woman of God by faith. And while those who loved her will deeply feel her absence, there is comfort in knowing that the faith Sherian carried throughout every season of her life carried her home. Her work is complete. Her lessons remain. Her love continues. Her light will never be forgotten. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

Sherian’s earthly time began on November 12, 1960, and came to its close on July 29, 2026. Between those two moments was a life extraordinarily well lived, a life of faith, family, education, laughter, friendship, service, perseverance, and love.

May the life of Sherian Kaye McGlothen forever remind us that there is a season and a purpose for everything, to love our families deeply, serve our communities faithfully, educate the next generation, care for one another, trust God through every season, and always remember: We are too blessed to be stressed.