Sandra Grant McGowen

Sandra G. McGowen was born Sandra Louise Grant to Ellis and Mary Lou Grant in Shreveport, LA, on December 4, 1942, and passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021, at Northside Hospital in Fulton County Georgia.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Norman Douglas McGowen, Sr. She is survived by her daughter Amanda McGowen White and husband Kevin and her son Norman Douglas McGowen, Jr., her granddaughters Sandra Meghan White and Jordyn M. White, all of Jasper, Georgia. She is also survived by her brother Benny Grant of Taylor, Arkansas, and her sister Jan Hester and husband Larry of Many, Louisiana. Sandra also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved and adored her.

Sandra was a 1960 graduate of Bossier High School and a 1964 graduate of Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (later LaTech University) with a BA in Fine Arts. After graduation, Sandra married her high school sweetheart and literally “the boy next door,” Norman Douglas McGowen and began her life as a pilot’s wife. Doug served as a helicopter pilot in the US Army in Vietnam, a pilot in the Army National Guard, and a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines. He and Sandra enjoyed life in New York before transferring to Atlanta with Eastern. After losing Doug in a tragic accident, Sandra became a single mom with two young children. Knowing she had to set the example for her children and plan for their future, she decided to go back to school to pursue her passion for interior design.

Sandra worked diligently and graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts. Upon graduation, she started her exemplary career, becoming one of the first Registered Interior Designers in the State of Georgia. She became a leader in her field and a strong advocate for the professional and legal rights of Interior Designers.

Sandra founded McGowen Interiors in 1983, specializing in corporate and institutional interior design. She was well known in the industry for her commitment to ensuring building accessibility throughout the State of Georgia as the Americans with Disabilities Act took effect nationally. In addition to maintaining her practice, Sandra took on the challenge of Adjunct Professor and Coordinator of Interior Design at Brenau University. She loved her teaching role as well as getting to work closely with the students in the field. Throughout her life, she had mentored many young people in her church and community. This was just another opportunity for her to help young people, in this case, upcoming designers, achieve their life goals.

Throughout her career, Sandra was involved in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She was honored as a Fellow of the Society, ASID’s highest award, given to less than 1% of all members, for consistent and selfless contributions to the profession. Sandra served as Georgia Chapter President in 1990 as well as having served as Regional and National Director. She also held many positions on the Boards of NCIDQ and GAIDP.

Sandra was a longtime member and elder of East Point Presbyterian Church and later attended Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. She was committed to her family, friends, students, and colleagues.

She will be remembered for her generosity, her simple elegance, her quick, dry wit, and her contagious good nature. She was a lady of class, who influenced everyone she met during her remarkable life.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in Atlanta at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to the newly established Brenau University - Sandra G. McGowen Leadership Grant.

Brenau University

Sandra G McGowen Leadership Grant

attention: Matt Thomas

500 Washington St SE,

Gainesville, GA 30501

The grant will be given to interior design majors in order to advance their leadership skills.

Sandra’s family may be contacted at Amanda McGowen White, 11705 Big Canoe, Jasper, Georgia 30143