Obituary

Originally posted April 17, 2026

Zachary Isaac Gladney Randels (March 6, 2018-April 13, 2026)

On today’s new moon, I share with you the news that our youngest son, Zachary Isaac Gladney Randels chose the morning of Monday, April 13, 2026 for his ascension to join his ancestors in service at the feet of the Almighty. In eight years, he brought love, light and joy to everyone he encountered - living a life fuller than many can imagine.

In his own words “I am the son of a mom.”

Zach enjoyed reading, playing and having philosophical conversations with his father about his new body in the next life. A gifted, French immersion student, he sang Haitian Kreyol songs and Sanskrit mantras and prayers with his mother. He liked having guests for sleepovers, playing Roblox, and drawing competitions with his brother Jamie. An international traveler, his favorite family vacations were to Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, FL and to The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. In his leisure time, Zachary enjoyed planning adventures, designing hairstyles and costumes for Halloween and alternating between having his toes polished in his favorite colors: orange and purple. He aspired to be a YouTuber, a great soccer player like Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, and to be rich.

My heart is filled with love and kindness for all who mourn his passing. His light continues to shine through those who knew him as well as those touched by the people who knew him.

Zachary has a large family and will continue to be present in the lives of his mom, Greta Gladney and his dad, Jim Randels; his siblings, Danielle, Adrienne (Martaz), Stephen, and James, III; his best friend Santana; his nieces, Niyah, Mauriyonna and Ador; his nephews, Johnavin, Dorian and Raidyn; his aunts, Erin, Inez, Susan, Paulann, Kathy, Kay, Linda and Carmen; his uncles Mark, Jon, Bill and Sean; and a host of cousins including Roux, Baux, Vivian, Josephine, Evan, Zoe, Emma, William and Charlie. Zach has faithfully entrusted us with the care of his leopard gecko, Scales. His extended family includes the entire Hynes UNO community.

Our family extends a deep bow and heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Michael Heller and Napoleon Pediatrics; Drs. Ann Tilton, Adrienne Savant, Joseph Gonzales, Tamara Bradford and the Neuromuscular Clinic at Manning Children’s Hospital; Dr. Hank Mayer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Dr. Susana Quiano Roy, Garches Hospital, Garches, France and Dr. Gisele Bonne, La Sorbonne, Paris, France; Dr. Vasant Lad, Doug Neal and The Ayurvedic Institute; the Cure CMD Team, Metropolitan Human Services District, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Access Respiratory; Butley, Ted and the Team at NuMotion; Shannon Sanders, Dixey Faciane and Orleans Parish Schools; Lakeisha Simmons and Tricia Ferguson, A Life Choice; Michelle Elmore, Action Resources; Make a Wish Foundation and Give Kids the World; paraprofessionals Jennifer Williams and Jikia Sanders alongside the faculty, staff and administration of Hynes UNO.

Zachary will be laid to rest among three generations of his ancestors at Mount Olivet Cemetery during a private ceremony. The Children’s Celebration of Zachary’s Life will be hosted at the Tate Etienne Prevost Center on May 2, 2026 in the Lower Ninth Ward.