Anna Louise Epps Ph.D.

1930 - 2017

Anna Louise Cherrie Epps, Ph.D., (86), peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones the morning of Thursday, May 18th at her home in Brentwood, Tennessee. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 8, 1930 to the late Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Cherrie, Sr., she married Dr. Joseph Epps, Sr. in 1968 who preceded her in death in 1984. Dr. Epps attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and Xavier University Preparatory School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Howard University, a Master of Science degree from Loyola University, and her doctoral degree from Howard. In her sixty-two years of work in medical education, Dr. Epps served as professor, department head, and research fellow. She went on to become both Assistant Dean and later Associate Dean of Student Services at Tulane University, later being named interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at Tulane. While at Tulane, Dr. Epps developed MEdREP (Medical Education Reinforcement and Enrichment Program for Minority and Other Disadvantaged Students). MEdREP helped prospective medical students prepare for the MCAT and gain experience with lab projects. In 1997, Dr. Epps was named Dean of the School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College, making her not only Meharry's first female dean of the medical school, but also the only African- American woman with a Ph.D. to become dean of a U.S. medical school. Dr. Epps served as dean until 2002. In addition to dean, Dr. Epps went on to serve as Senior Advisor to the President of Meharry and was named Dean Emerita of the School of Medicine. In 2013, Dr. Epps was named Meharry's 11th President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Epps is survived by her stepson Joseph (Shirley) Epps, Jr.; sister-in law, Lois Carlson Cherrie; nephew, Ernest (Nancy) Cherrie, III; two nieces, Tiffany (Blaine Le Cesne) Cherrie and Cyd Cherrie Anderson; and a host of relatives and friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ernest (Anna Louise Johnson) Cherrie, Sr., stepdaughter, Dr. Grace Epps, and her beloved brother, Dr. Ernest Cherrie, Jr. A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 1 o'clock in the afternoon at The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France, 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, Louisiana with Bishop Fernand J. Cheri officiating. The family will greet friends at the cathedral from 12 noon until the time of service. Burial will be held in private. A memorial in Dr. Epps' honor will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 10 o'clock in the morning at Meharry Medical College, Kresge Resource Learning Center Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Anna Cherrie Epps, Ph.D., Center for Educational Development and Support at Meharry Medical College.