January 16, 1963 ~ March 5, 2026 (age 63)
Angel Leigh Freeman (Arnold), who was born on January 16, 1963, in Kansas City, Kansas. Angel’s journey took her from San Jose, California, where she grew up alongside her older sister Christina and younger brother Larry, to many places where she built a legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.
After graduating from Leland High School (San Jose, CA) in 1981 and earning her associate’s degree from West Valley College, Angel married Stuart Freeman on December 14, 1985. They began their life together in Manteca, California, raising two daughters, Christina Freeman Mertens and Courtney Freeman Lewis. Angel’s home was always bustling, filled with the sounds of kids coming and going at all hours! Her children were her world, and she poured her heart into every aspect of their lives, making sure their friends felt just as loved.
Angel dedicated many years working for her parent’s company, Echo Valley Industrial Supply, before bravely switching careers and entering the Correctional Academy in 2000. She served as a Correctional Officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 19 years, showing her grit and determination as she worked her whole career in an all-male prison. Upon retirement, Angel moved to Sulphur Springs, Texas, where her family soon joined her. Her new life was everything she dreamed of: grandkids to spoil, 10 acres to roam, six dogs, a pig, and the peace of no neighbors!
She found joy in simple pleasures— being Meemaw to all her grandchildren and their friends, reading true crime books, watching crime shows, doing word searches, and her favorite pastime of tending her yard on the riding lawn mower (even if she occasionally needed a helping hand from a passerby to get out of a ditch!). Angel’s grandkids were her pride and joy, and she never hesitated to go above and beyond for them. She loved to joke that grandkids were so much fun, she wished she could have skipped straight to them.
Meemaw was a force of nature—loud, crazy, opinionated, and fiercely loving. She swore like a sailor and never took nonsense from anyone, but she had a heart of gold for those closest to her. If you needed her, she was there—no questions asked. Her presence and her unique spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Angel is survived by her husband of 40 years, Stuart Freeman of Sulphur Springs, Texas; her children, Christina Mertens (Russ Mertens) of Sulphur Springs and Courtney Lewis of Celeste, Texas; and her cherished grandchildren: Derick Mertens, Sean Mertens, Keala Mertens, Aleska Freeman, Pyper Lewis, Teegan Lewis, and Raileigh “Coco” Mertens. She also leaves behind her parents Larry and Pat Arnold, sister Chris Viscusi (Nick), brother Larry Arnold (Marsi), several nieces, and nephews, and her best friend of many, many years, Kim Ontiveros (Roman), all located in Northern California.
Angel has been reunited in Heaven with her son-in-law David Lewis and her most beloved dog Cujo, whom she joined on March 5, 2026, following a traffic accident.
A luncheon to celebrate Angel’s life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 1 PM to 4 PM at The Rustic O in Sulphur Springs.
