Alice E. Freeman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Alice Emily Freeman (nee Bridgham), previously Alice Emily Long, was born December 28th, 1922, in Coos Bay, OR to Elmore Lincoln Bridgham, and Alice Francis Franson. Alice sadly passed away on June 5th, 2022, at the age of 99. She is predeceased by her loving husband James Francis Long, with whom she shared 4 wonderful children. She is predeceased by her eldest sons James Michael Long and Bryan Patrick Long. She is survived by her siblings Becky Beddes (nee Bridgham) and David Jon Bridgham, her children Thomas Daniel Long and Kathleen Clancy Sheek, her grandchildren, as well as her great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildren. She is also predeceased by her devoted husband Samuel Deward Freeman whoshe married in 1991. They are survived by Sam’s two daughters Jeanne Mercedes Reynolds (nee Freeman) and Nita Lou Lindall (nee Freeman) and their children. Alice spent her teenage years in Sacramento, CA attending C.K. McClatchy High School where she was crowned the Queen of her Senior Ball. She held great memories of growing up in Sacramento, including spending long summer days riding bicycles with her siblings to get ice cream. Her most treasured childhood memories all revolved around her siblings who she loved fiercely. After high school, she married James Francis Long, known as Frank, in Deming, New Mexico in 1943. Through his military service, the young family lived abroad in Germany and Japan. Alice shared vivid stories of her time overseas. A common thread was her spirit of adventure and doing right by her adopted communities. Frank passed away in 1969, soon followed by their eldest son Mike. She spent many years in the civil service, working in the Billeting department of Travis Airforce Base. Colleagues have shared that she charmed all that she talked to and had an easy way of winning over the hardest of personalities. In 1991 she met Samuel Freeman and a whole new chapter unfolded. Although considered seniors at their time of marriage it was like watching two completely smitten teenagers fall in love, garnering them a spot on the local news. Her spunky sense of adventure was reawakened, with Sam and Alice taking cross-country road trips to bluegrass festivals and local trips all over California and Oregon. They shared a very sweet and loving life together that many of us are grateful to have witnessed and been a part of. A long-time resident of Fairfield, CA she will be remembered for her incredible humor, very outgoing nature, and love of smiley faces. She was active in the local community with the Daughters of the Nile, Eastern Star, Shriners, and the Senior Center. Well into her 80s she was a volunteer driver for Seniors. She got a tremendous kick out of helping others and being social. Despite her age many of us will remember her as forever young, filled with youthful joy, tenacity, and optimism. After Sam’s passing in 2008, she continued to have rich relationships with her family near and far, local friends, her church community, groups like the Macular Degeneration Society, and her wonderful neighbors. Diane Copeland, her daughter-in-law via Michael has been an enormous support to Alice over the years, helping her manage her day-to-day needs as well as keeping her out of mischief, like late-night furniture rearranging all by herself. She especially loved the visits from the Meals on Wheels drivers, inviting them in for a chat, which would always involve much laughter. She loved sharing the story of the time she accidentally used her life alert and her house was stormed by handsome firefighters. She often joked that she planned to push the button again so that she would have another visit. In her later years anyone who met her was shocked to know her age, all would remark upon how sharp, witty, and, funny she was. It was with great pride and joy that she became a great-great-grandmother in 2015. She gave herself the adorable nickname of the Generator in honor of this accomplishment. Alice was very clever and crafty. She loved making oversized earrings from silk flowers and googly eyes and would fashion skirts out of her favorite blankets. Alice weathered personal hardships through the loss of her husband Frank, and the passing of their eldest son Mike. Devastatingly she lost many treasured photos and personal items in a fire. Later in life, she lost her son Pat and her husband Sam. Although these events made her profoundly sad, remarkably she always found hope. It was through her faith in God and her unimpeachable optimism that she continued to look forward to a better tomorrow. Her goal was to live to 100 years of age. While her passing finds us mourning her loss and her great goal unmet, we would like to honor her legacy by celebrating all her years well lived. Her 100th birthday is celebrated in our hearts, and if you’d like to share a story and sentiments about her life and achievements, please join us at her funeral service. A funeral service will be held in her honor at 10 am on July 22nd at St Mark’s Lutheran Church 1600 Union Ave, Fairfield, CA 94533. In lieu of flowers if you would like to make a gift in her honor, please consider donating to Shriners Hospital for Children or Meals on Wheels.

Alice E. Freeman

December 28, 1922 - June 5, 2022