ESTES, Sue Ann

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona Sue Ann Estes (October 9, 1940 - April 5, 2013) Sue Ann Estes, 72, was a Downwinder who was exposed to radiation from nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site in the 1950s and 1960s. She died April 5th 2013 after a short battle with cancer. Sue was born October 9th 1940 to Floyd and Mary Lee Peckumn in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She moved with her family to Williams, Arizona in 1950 and then to Flagstaff in 1956. Sue Ann graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1958. Over the years Sue Ann held many jobs, she worked for Mountain Bell, the Flagstaff Public Schools, the City of Flagstaff, and the State of Arizona. The job she was most famous for was being one of Flagstaff’s first female dirt haulers, running dump trucks alongside Betty McNabb for McNabb Trucking. Sue Ann was involved with the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and the Coconino County Emergency Response Team. She was a proud member of the NRA and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Sue Ann sang bass in The Sweet Adelines. After the death of her husband John, Sue Ann was reborn, as proud and fun loving Sister #429, in the world famous and notorious Sisters on the Fly. She will be greatly missed by all her beloved Sisters. Sue Ann was truly Nature’s Child. She loved little furry and feathered critters and big handguns with equal abandon. She enjoyed her garden, her bird feeders, quilting and sewing, great wine and good tequila, a well decorated cowboy hat, and shooting her .45 with her friend Ruben Ceballos. Sue Ann loved nothing better than an adventure with her Sisters on the Fly; caravanning with them, her lovingly restored 1954 Aljoa travel trailer in tow, was one of her greatest joys. In spite of her sharp tongue she will be deeply missed by all her loving friends and family. Sue Ann was a woman up early and almost never sick, even in her final days she refused to take to her bed. True to form, she chose to take her final breaths lying comfortably on her kitchen floor in the arms of her beloved daughter Bonnie, surrounded by her cat and dogs. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, John Estes, and both her parents. She is survived by her three children - John “JP” (Elaine), Bonnie, and Justin (Rachelle). Her grandchildren - Brandy, Meghan, Cody, and Shane. Her sisters – Nancy Hayward (Marvin) and Mary Rhodes and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her passing leaves a little more silence in the lives of all of us who knew and loved her. A Celebration of her life will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Norvel Owens Mortuary. Memories and condolences can be shared with her family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com