Christy "Fannie Annie" Russell

In Loving Memory of
Christy "Fannie Annie" Russell

Christy Russell, also famously known as "Fannie Annie" passed away at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada,
surrounded by family and friends, after losing her battle with kidney cancer on July 19, 2020.
She was a devoted friend, a talented performance artist and was a performance artist advocate.
Christy Russell was born on May 3, 1952 in Bremerton, Washington to parents
Lucielle Russell and Charles Forgey Jr. and graduated Central Kitsap High School.

Born and raied in Bremerton, Washington, she traveled the world, performing live in
Miami, Florida, Hollywood, California, Vancouver, Canada and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Christy enjoyed performing in burlesque shows, she loved the preservation of history and
archives of burlesque and variety show performers.
Her last project before passing was co-founding a new non profit organization in Las Vegas
called BurlyCares. which provieds advocacy, medical supplies and equipment and raises emergency
funds for burlesque and variety show legends who are in need.

Christy was known as the world renowned stage performance artist.
Coined "The Largest Showgirl of Burlesque" and paved the way
for women of size to be stars on the state and in film.
Her accolades include having performed her one woman,
comedy burlesque show at the
"Follies International Showroom" in Miami, Florida for ten years in the 1980's
and she performed in the television show "Miami Vice" as well as the movie "Porky's".

Christy had close friendships with Dixie Evan, the Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque,
Bea Arthur of The Golden Girls, famale impersonator Charles Pierce and actress Hedy Lemarr.
She is survived by her siblings Connie Singleton, Kelli Holt and Charles Russell.
Her nieces and nephews; Keving Holt, Leslie Kilmer, Kimberly Blackham,
Valerie Griffin, Quinn Russell, Michael Singleton and Jason Singleton.