Theresa Leanne Freeman Emmons Cooper was born in Eureka in December of 1972, to parents Gary Freeman and Pamela Schopper Freeman. She was raised in Eureka her whole childhood, attending several local schools. She explored the woods and gulches with her brother and sister. As an adult, she went on many adventures in far away places.

She and Michael Emmons were married in Eureka in 1991. As Mike’s wife she got to travel, since he was a soldier in the Army. He was stationed in Georgia, and then Germany, where their son Trenten was born. While living there she earned a GED, and took college classes through the University of Maryland. After a few years, Theresa returned to Eureka. Her marriage to Mike ended, but they remained friends.  

Some time after, Theresa met Keith Cooper. They married in 2001. They lived in Eureka, and had a son together, Miles. They bought her Grandma Freeman’s house and hosted many family events and parties there. After a few years they moved to McKinleyville, when they bought Keith’s grandma’s house and lived there. 

Loving to bake, and try new recipes, Theresa was part of a Christmas cookie exchange club for years with her mother-in-law Andra Cooper, often hosting the exchange party. She was an amazing baker. Her blackberry cobbler was served at the county fair for several years at Cooper’s Hot Dogs. She loved family get-togethers and parties, and would carefully plan all the entrees and desserts she was preparing. Her joy of feeding people and entertaining was obvious.

She also enjoyed fishing, and would often try to talk her brother into taking her out on his boat. But only in the bay, not past the jetties. She inherited her grandma’s love of Bingo, playing at the Moose, the casinos, or wherever Bingo could be found. She was quite lucky with the game, as well as winning raffle prizes and drawings at fundraisers and events.

During her marriage to Keith they were able to travel extensively, to Mexico several times, and also Alaska, Jamaica, Hawaii. Theresa also loved going on cruises, dressing up in beautiful gowns for dinners on board. They went on family camping trips, in the local hills, boating and jet skiing at Ruth and Trinity lakes. She and Keith were married several years, and then sadly, went their separate ways.

Theresa was an employee of the USPS for 20 years, and was very proud of that accomplishment. She loved her rural route delivering mail in the Fieldbrook area especially. She enjoyed visiting with customers on her route, and making friends with neighborhood dogs along the way, often handing out treats. She was happy to see the wildlife during the drive on her route, and would share pictures of deer and other animals in the area.  

Theresa loved her sons very much, and was proud of them both. She was very happy to become a grandma. 

Theresa passed away in Eureka on April 3 of 2022 at the age of 49. She is preceded in death by her father, Gary Freeman. She is survived by her son Trenten Emmons (Hayley), her son Miles Cooper (Lacey), her grandchildren from Trent: Jackson & Elayna, mother Pamela Freeman MacMillen and stepfather Donald MacMillen, sister Lesa Freeman Churchill Holt (Dale), brother Robert Freeman (Stephanie), nieces & nephews: Rachel Freeman Butt (Andy), Ehlana Churchill Kirkpatrick (Roger), Katelyn Keffer, Sean Freeman and Justin Keffer, her great nieces and nephews, and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. 

Theresa fought illness valiantly, but was taken from us too soon. She will always be our beloved mother, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin. A Celebration of Life is being planned, and will be announced on Facebook for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, a donation honoring Theresa can be made to Miranda’s Rescue.