Sheralyn Anderson Zirkle

On the evening of July 26, 2021, Sheralyn Anderson Zirkle departed this earthly life for her heavenly home. Her last moments were spent in much the same way she always chose to spend her best days—in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

Sheri was born in Beaufort, South Carolina on March 27, 1962 to loving parents, Alfred (“Andy”) and Bettye Anderson. Blessed with a slew of siblings and the incomparable backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Sheri’s childhood years were a beautiful, chaotic jumble of seaside adventures, rough and tumble tree-climbing, and bouts of laughter. Sheri had a love for music, singing, and adventure.

In her adult years she became the mother of six wonderful children. She had a true talent for understanding and nurturing children, and her own children flourished under her guidance. Sheri also shared this talent with countless children through her work as a church leader and schoolteacher, with a specialty in reading and literacy. She brought laughter, music, and, most importantly, love into her classroom. It was her goal to make school a place where all children felt welcome and happy.

Sheri and her children eventually made the move from South Carolina to Utah, where she taught kindergarten and met the love of her life, Fred Zirkle. They were married in January 2007, growing her family by seven more children. Sheri and Fred’s love of adventure and the gospel of Jesus Christ would take them to many places in the years to come. They were blessed to spend time with family on the lakes and beaches of South Carolina, on the shores of Mexico, and in the mountains of Utah. Sheri’s faith in God as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was very important to her, and she and Fred were thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as full-time missionaries in the Texas, San Antonio Mission. After their mission Sheri and Fred settled in Chandler, Arizona.

Even in the wake of a cancer diagnosis, Sheri threw herself into serving those around her. She especially loved working in the Gilbert Temple, and serving her children and grandchildren. She put great thought and effort into bringing a sense of magic into their lives, planning holiday parties and teaching piano lessons. When COVID-19 swept across the world and she saw schools closing, she created a preschool and kindergarten that became a refuge for her grandkids and their parents alike. Whenever she saw something hard happening in the world, she did what she could to make it better. This was probably her greatest gift: she made the lives of all those around her better, over and over again.

Sheri’s father once said that the first time he heard her sing, he closed his eyes and could have sworn it was the voice of an angel. Indeed, she truly was an angel in the lives of all those around her, and now that she has moved on to the next life, she is our angel still, and her voice will resonate with us forever.

Sheri is survived by her husband, Fred Zirkle; her children and their spouses: Krista (Kenny) Brown, Charis (Craig) Johnson, Whitney (David) Armantrout, Sara (Kellen) Sears, Kelsey (Rockwell) Holbrook, and Tanner (Kortnee) Smith, Vivianne Zirkle, Candice (Grant) Beckwith, Allexis Owen, Alexandra (Hani) Khafipour, Zach (Nikki) Zirkle, Isaiah (Rachel) Zirkle, Rebecca (Ian) Wilson, and many adoring grandchildren; her mother, Bettye Anderson, and her siblings: Kimball (Laura) Anderson, Robyn (Gary) Trinnaman, Kristy Taylor, Matthew Anderson, and Jared Anderson. She is preceded in death by her father, Alfred (“Andy”) Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the

Reading Partners Literacy Fund

or

SIGN Fracture Care

.