Lowanda Sanders

Lowanda Sanders passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. She was born on June 29, 1966, in Harlem, New York. She was affectionately known as “Wanna” to her family and close friends. She attended Springfield Gardens High School in Queens, New York. She pursued her passion of being a hair stylist and graduated from Nationwide Beauty Academy in Columbus, Ohio.

Lowanda was raised in the Victory Deliverance Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., under the leadership of her father, pastor, and founder, Chief Apostle Fred Sanders. She received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and was baptized in the name of Jesus in her early teens. Lowanda worked diligently in the church alongside her parents. She was in the choir, led devotional service, served on the usher board, was a soloist, played the drums, and loved playing the bongos.

Lowanda was a sower and a major contributor to the erection of the Victory Deliverance Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., previously located at 1718 Myrtle Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.
In the 1980s, Lowanda made a notorious entrance into the hair industry, taking it by storm. God anointed her hands for service in the business of hair. Lowanda’s first stop was at Cartiea-Finesse in Columbus, Ohio. She then moved to Ms. G’s and then R Salon. Her last stop was Draft 10, where she sharpened her skills, perfected her craft, and came into her own identity as a hair mogul.

Lowanda had a vision of owning the largest black hair salon in Columbus, Ohio. It was here the legendary FOCUS ON “U” was established. Lowanda became one of the “Coldest” hair stylist in the ‘90s. FOCUS ON “U” was known throughout the city as a salon where you can get your hair dyed, fried, and laid to the side. Lowanda had one of the largest clientele in the city and had Cleveland Avenue on lock. Lowanda employed and gave many stylists their first start at FOCUS ON “U”. Some of those employees started out as her assistants and shampoo girls, gaining vast experience while being trained, claiming their own clientele, and then opening their own salons. Her youngest sister, Lori Williams, was her number one protégé. Lowanda had many achievements in the hair industry. She was featured in countless magazines, participated in numerous hair shows and won a plethora of hair battles. One of Lowanda’s major accomplishments during that time was taking the stage by storm by winning the “Hump the Grinder’s” Hair Wars alongside her baby sister, Lori. She participated in countless hair shows throughout the city, with one of her favorite stomping grounds being the Valley Dale Ballroom.

Lowanda was known to have an infectious personality. She was bold, blunt, raw, and uncut. She was hilarious and everyone who came into her presence she left her mark. To meet her once would be to never forget her. She will be missed.

Lowanda was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Sanders, and brother, Fred Sanders, Jr. She leaves to mourn: her only child, Londyn Stephens, whom she called her “Hum Baby;”
father, Apostle Fred Sanders; brothers, Bishop-Elect David R. Sanders, Apostle Jonathan K. Sanders, Michael W. Sanders, and Apostle Joel S. Sanders (Shaletha Sanders); sisters, Lorain R. Sanders and Lori Williams (Antwan Williams); sister-in-law, Cassandra Sanders; she leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family, friends, clients, her special friends, Pastor Karen Mitchell and John Lunsford, and the Gemelos Hair Gallery Design Team... Where We Focus On “U”.

Lowanda will never be forgotten as a HAIR BOSS... In her own words, “I Am Legend.”

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