A. Epps

Nashville, TN New Orleans, LA 

Anna Louise Cherrie Epps, Ph.D., (86), peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, May 18th at her home in Brentwood, TN. Born in New Orleans, LA. on July 8th, 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. 

Anna Louise attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and Xavier University Preparatory School. At the age of sixteen, Anna Louise was admitted to Howard University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in zoology. From 1953 - 1955 Anna Louise worked as a technologist in the clinical laboratories of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati and Flint Goodridge Hospital in New Orleans. She then moved to Xavier University of Louisiana where she served as an instructor and acting head of the medical technology department until 1960. While working at Xavier, Anna Louise earned a Master of Science in microbiology from Loyola University.

In 1961 Anna Louise returned to Howard University as an assistant professor of microbiology in the College of Medicine. While at Howard, she was awarded a Ph.D. in zoology and elected to Sigma Xi. In 1969 Dr. Epps received the United States Public Health Service Faculty Research Fellowship in the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she later became an associate professor. A second research fellowship allowed her to return to New Orleans to continue her work at Tulane University.
Dr. Epps also served as an associate professor of medicine and was named Director of Medicine at Tulane Medical Center. In 1980 Dr. Epps was named assistant dean of student services, and associate dean of student services in 1986. In 1995 Dr. Epps was named interim vice president for academic affairs at Tulane.

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. Serving from May 2013 through June 2015, Dr. Epps led Meharry through a significant transformation period with focus on the accreditation process for all three schools. She also is credited with making the college's fiscal health sound before passing on the reins.

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. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Ernest (Anna Louise Johnson) Cherrie, Sr., her beloved brother, Dr. Ernest Cherrie, Jr., and stepdaughter, Dr. Grace Epps.

A funeral mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. in the 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 a.m. at Meharry Medical College, Kresge Learning Resources Center Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee. Lewis and Wright Funeral Directors 2500 Clarksville Pk.(615)-255-2371