Albert Wendall Simmons

Albert Wendall Simmons, a resident of Mountain Brook, Alabama, passed away on August 5, 2018. Mr. Simmons was born on October 21, 1920 in Foshee, Alabama. He attended Birmingham Southern College where he was valedictorian of his class, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. In 1947, he married his beloved wife Martha and they were members of Canterbury United Methodist Church. They had two children, Tom and Sue, and would visit their home in Long Boat Key, Florida as much as possible. Boating and fishing with his family were Mr. Simmons' favorite hobbies. Professionally, Mr. Simmons was a partner at Ernst and Young until his retirement in 1980. He was especially proud of his work as a founder of Torchmark Corporation, and he also co-authored two volumes of Federal Income Taxation of Life Insurance, a widely used accounting textbook that provided comprehensive analysis of the special tax provisions that apply to life insurance companies. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his mother, Bessie H. Ray; his wife, Martha "George" Simmons; his sister, Verna Duncan; his daughter, Sue Simmons Estes; grandsons James Hansford Estes and Brian Wendall Estes; cousin Carroll P. Duncan; and an additional family member Dawn Morris Simmons. He is survived by his son, Scott Thomas Wendall Simmons; grandchildren Allison Simmons Armistead (Cole Webster), Martha Sue Estes, Martha Brooke Simmons Hipp (Brian), and Katherine Scott Simmons; great grandchildren Austin Blake Armistead, William Clay Armistead, Grayson Ware Hipp, and Jackson Clay Hipp; and many special friends including Janice Thomas and his wonderful caregiver Les Thomas. The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, August 8th from 1:00pm-2:00pm at Elmwood Chapel, with the graveside service immediately following at Elmwood Cemetery. Reverend Hill Carmichael of Canterbury United Methodist Church will be officiating, and pallbearers will be Austin Armistead, Will Armistead, Brian Hipp, Les Thomas, and Cole Webster.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Simmons family.