Shari Renee Banks-Gladney

Shari Renee Banks-Gladney, of Lathrup Village, Michigan, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2022, following a heroic battle of chronic health challenges. Her bravery was as legendary as her breadth of kindness and her unrivaled life force. Among the hundreds that mourn her passing, are the ones that she held most dear to her heart - her beloved husband Timothy Earl Gladney and cherished children – daughter Madison Renee Gladney and son Jacob Timothy Gladney – and her treasured parents Harold and Theresa Banks. Shari was born in Washington, DC on August 8, 1964, and that birthplace and her arrival at the cusp of the Baby Boom era – coupled with the proximity to the epicenter of social change and empowerment – imbued her with uncompromising will and fortitude. She was a qualifying Mensa member, while simultaneously an enthusiastic disciple of DC’s “GoGo” and Maestro Chuck Brown. Most especially, Shari was the personification of joy! Her authentic spirit captivated anyone privileged to know her. Receiving one of her celebrated hugs was like being wrapped in an embrace that assured your admittance into this rarified realm. If you were favorably graced, you were hers for life. Her affection for you was deep, profound and unending. The native Washingtonian attended her neighborhood elementary school, Anne Beers, and often extended the short walking journey to the Francis Gregory Library, where her voracious passion for reading was first nurtured. She was a lifelong member of East Washington Heights Baptist Church and attended Gordon Junior High School in Georgetown, graduated from then Wilson High School in 1982 and continued with undergraduate studies at Norfolk State University in Virginia. Shari’s professional career was shaped by a family legacy in higher education. She served several years in Residential Housing at Howard University and parlayed that success to be whisked away to become the Associate Director of Housing at Wayne State University. She was a vital leader in the institution’s efforts to animate the college life campus experience and helped lead the completion and opening of the Towers Residential Suites on Cass Avenue. In a confluence of fate and providence, Shari met Tim Gladney at the Towers complex. He recalls that her “boss” posture was on full display, but he quickly disarmed her with the quiet strength and charm that defines Tim’s essence. A campus courtship ensued and they were soon wed in 1999. Their union produced two extraordinary children in Madison and Jacob. The earth stood still for Shari when Madison and Jacob arrived and they immediately joined Tim as the primary beneficiary for her unbridled love and devotion. No event, dance recital, birthday party, soccer/volleyball/basketball game or band recital escaped her full throttle engagement! She adored Madison and Jacob and her unapologetic choruses of “I love you, Number 10!” are now forever recorded in The Roeper School archives. Holidays were revered. From Christmas Eve enactments of Alvin and the Chipmunks version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to coordinated T-shirts for the 4th of July and everything in between, Shari celebrated the occasion. In fact, on one occasion when Shari was not feeling well, she phoned her brother-in-law from the hospital because an important holiday was fast approaching. (It is rumored that she called to insist that he head to the Dollar Store to purchase St. Patrick’s Day paraphernalia and deliver it to the house before midnight, until he quickly reminded her that she and the kids were not Irish). Her uncommon empathy extended to her immense care for countless family and friends. She called, she Facebooked, she wrote, she prayed, and she willed the well-being of others into her orbit of care and encouragement. While others may espouse a philosophy of “Living in the Moment,” Shari defined that notion and in her presence, it was contagious and inspiring. When Shari was eleven years old, she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and spent more than six months as a patient at National Institutes of Health (NIH). At the time, she was among the youngest to be afflicted with the chronic illness. It would eventually manifest to severely restrict her health and mobility. Yet, her capacity to rally was unwavering and she courageously sought to live in those very moments she ordained. Shari was a gift of light everlasting and will be missed beyond measure. She also leaves to celebrate her life: Mother-in-Law Mildred Gladney; Sisters Kimberly Holmes (Mark) and Denita Banks-Sims (Glenn); Sister-in-Law Jacinda (Shay) Gladney-Moore (Larry); Brother-In-Law Bernard Gladney (Sheila), and a circle of beloved nieces and nephews: Alexandra, Carter, Timothy, Charylleo, Erik, Latasha, Darius, Bill, Bernard, Kyrell, Blair and the late Brionna. Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 30, 2022 with visitation from 11:30am to 1:00pm followed by service at 1:00pm at East Washington Heights Baptist Church. 2220 Branch Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20020 The service will be livestreamed on the East Washington Heights Facebook.page. And Memorial Celebration on Monday, August 1, 2022 from 4:00pm – 5:30pm at Somerset Inn. 2601 W. Big Beaver Road Troy, MI 48084 In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that expressions of sympathy be made as contributions to: Democracy for America (DFA) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sbg-memorial-fund or East Washington Heights Baptist Church https://ewhbc.org/givelify A.J. Desmond and Sons, Funeral Directors 32515 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48073 (248) 549-0500