SIMMONS, SUE ESTES - 61, a resident of Vestavia, AL, passed away on September 30, 2009. Ms. Estes was born in Birmingham, AL on May 8, 1948. She was a 1966 graduate of Shades Valley High School, and attended the University of Alabama. A lifelong resident of Birmingham, she also enjoyed spending time with her family while vacationing in Long Boat Key, FL.  Ms. Estes was a member of Canterbury Methodist Church.  A loving mother to three children, Ms. Estes was preceded in death by her son, James Hansford Estes.  She is survived by her adoring children; daughter, Martha Sue Estes of Vestavia, AL and son, Brian Wendall Estes of Memphis, TN. She is also survived by her parents, Albert Wendall Simmons and Martha McLaughlin Simmons of Birmingham, AL; one brother, Scott Thomas Wendall Simmons of Birmingham, AL; an uncle, Carroll P. Duncan of Birmingham, AL; three nieces, Allison Simmons Armistead of Helena, AL, Brooke Simmons Hipp (Brian) of Auburn, AL, and Katherine Scott Simmons of Auburn, AL; two great-nephews, Austin Blake Armistead and William Clay Armistead of Helena, AL; and her two special pets, Anabel and Chambora. The family will be receiving visitors on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL. Graveside services at Elmwood will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Tom Roberts officiating. Active pallbearers will be Charles Burton, Terry Faulkner, Brian Hipp, Charles Lenderman, Tim Mitchell, and Don Morrison. Honorary pallbearers will be Austin Armistead and Will Armistead. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  (Published in The Birmingham News on October 4, 2009).