Emily H. (Bradford) Cooper

Emily Cooper of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on November 29, 2025 at the age of 96.

Born in Michigan, Emily Bradford spent her childhood on the family farm in Sparta with her four brothers and sisters before graduating from Sparta High School.

She was attending Michigan State University when she met Rudy Cooper while at a summer church camp. After spending two years at MSU, Emily transferred to Western Michigan University to be with Rudy, whom she married in 1949.

Emily graduated from Western and later worked as a home economics teacher for many years, taking some time off to raise her three sons. She spent most of her career teaching high school in their longtime home of Whitehall, Michigan.

After retirement, Emily and Rudy commenced their dream of world travel. Their 56 trips covered Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Latin America. 

Emily and Rudy moved into the Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids in 2006, where they both stayed until Rudy passed away in 2022. Emily continued living at Clark, where she enjoyed swimming, socializing, and playing games.

Emily is survived by her children and grandchildren, Tom and Chris (Lauren and Jenna), Tim (Stefanie, Zack and Kazia), and Dan and Abita (Sofia), as well as numerous great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Emily will be held on December 17, 2025 at 2:00 at Clark Retirement at Franklin in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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