One of Macomb's longest-serving – and most renowned – businesswomen recently celebrated a major milestone … her 100th birthday.
Lorraine Epperson was honored Sunday, April 12 at the Macomb Country Club for circling the sun 100 times. More than 120 of Lorraine’s friends and business acquaintances were in attendance.
Don and Kay Norton of Macomb, along with Western Illinois University College of Fine Arts and Communication Director of Development Patrick Downing, hosted a short program in Epperson’s honor, taking guests down memory lane from 1926, the year Epperson was born, with fun facts and songs performed by the Nortons accompanied by members of the WIU orchestra.
John Hallwas, WIU English professor emeritus and local archivist, shared a historical biography of Lorraine saying, “It is an honor to comment on the lengthy and wonderful life of Lorraine Epperson. Living 100 years is remarkable, but we appreciate Lorraine for what she has done with her life including her many contributions to the community and other communities over the years,” upon listing her involvement with numerous boards and community organizations, he then added “It's hard to imagine how she had time to work!'
What's remarkable is that this local legend is still working almost daily at her business, Century 21,which she and her late husband, Ken, whom she met at Western Illinois University in the 1940s, purchased in 1985. She first entered into the business in 1974 with the R.B. Purdum Real Estate Firm. Before that, she spent 20 years at Macomb High School, first as a business teacher then as the director of guidance.
'From guiding your students at Macomb High, to building a legacy at Century 21, you have always led with integrity, excellence and art,” said Century 21 President and CEO Mike Miedler, who appeared via Zoom for the festivities. “Your achievements are great but your service to the community and your team is even more admirable. Thank you for inspiring all of us. May today be a special day filled with joy, music and maybe a bridge table.'
Epperson, a high school graduate of Blandinsville, earned her bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 1948 and master's degree in 1952 in business education. As a student, she was the first president of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and in 1998, she received a Sigma Sigma Sigma Centennial Woman of Distinction given by the National Sorority.
“Lorraine, along with a small group of women who decided they wanted a local society, applied to Sigma Sigma Sigma, and in 1946, based on three factors— academic achievement, leadership, and service, she became the first president to create a chapter at WIU. After graduation, these women formed an alumni association and decided they needed a house, which Lorraine later built - the big white house on the hill - after securing the loan,” shared Diana Goff, a WIU and Tri Sigma alumna. “In 1964, 52 women walked through the doors. At the sorority house's open house, Lorraine was walking up to the house, and I remembered a senior telling me, ‘That's Lorraine Epperson! You are going to love her. She is so kind and she is so classy, and we all want to be just like her.’ Now, fast forward 62 years later, she's still classy, she's still kind and we still want to be just like her!'
Later at WIU, Epperson served as an Illinois Board of Governors trustee and was appointed by Gov. Jim Edgar to Western's Board of Trustees, where she served as both vice chair and chair. In addition, Epperson has served on the Performing Arts Society Board and WIU Alumni Council, and received the College of Business and Technology's Distinguished Alumni Award and Western's Distinguished Alumni Award. She also serves on the WIU Foundation Board.
'Her experiences on campus, being engaged as much as possible, is certainly a model for students today,” said WIU President Kristi Mindrup.
She and Ken's seven-figure gift to WIU in 2013, a combination of an outright gift and a bequest, directed $1.5 million to the long-anticipated Center for Performing Arts (CPA).
“I am one of many, many, many students at WIU who has benefited from Lorraine's generosity over the years with her support of the fine arts,” Downing added, before presenting Epperson with an Honorary Director of the Performing Arts Society Award.
In the Macomb community, Epperson has been involved in many organizations and activities, almost too many to list. Epperson has served as a member of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA of McDonough County, the Macomb Fortnightly Club and the Community Quality of Life Advisory Committee.
In 2022, she received the coveted Clyde Cronkite Award, given to an individual that demonstrates outstanding leadership, vision and dedication to the quality of life in McDonough County.
“I was talking to my sister, and I mentioned that Mrs. Epperson's 100th birthday was approaching. In 1965, my sister, a senior at the time, and a child of a single mom raising three kids, recalled having great memories of Mrs. Epperson,” Inman shared with the crowd. “My sister, said, “as a senior in high school, Mrs. Epperson made sure I had a prom dress, now you can read into that story what you will.’” Inman then proceeded to proclaim April 12, 2026 as “Lorraine Epperson Day.”
