South Bay members were saddened by the loss of former longtime member Fannie Lee Sartain. Fannie Lee was a very talented artist and teacher and was also a member of the California China Painters Teacher's Association for many years. She was known in her heyday for her paintings of birds and animals. No one did them better and many of our well-known porcelain artists took coveted lessons form her. She always had a waiting list of people wanting to take her lessons. She conducted many demonstrations and also published several studies and videos. She even developed her own line of glass enamels, which Gloria Ann McCarthy now sells.

When Fannie Lee Sartain had to sell her home in Hawthorne, California, she went to live with her daughter, Virginia, at 1697 County Road 146, Higdon, Alabama 35979. She had been there a few years, when several months ago she suffered a stroke which left her unable to communicate. Approximately 6 weeks ago Virginia died. Fannie Lee's granddaughter, Karla, continued to care for Fannie Lee in her home. On November 20 in the Los Angeles Times, Fannie Lee's name was listed in the obituaries. She was in her nineties at the time of her death. The notice stated that a graveside service would be held on Friday, November 21, 2003 at the Cornerstone Funeral Chapel in Ider, Alabama.

The following was re-printed with permission from Freddi Kay.

From: Freddi Kay 

Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 9:05 AM

My message today is a sad one. While reading the Los Angeles Times last night, I saw mention of the passing of Fannie Lee Sartain. There is not much information, only that arrangements were being taken care of by Cornerstone Funeral Chapel in Ider, Alabama, with graveside services on Friday.

Fannie Lee was a lovely, warm lady and a great painter. Although she painted many subjects, she was best known for her birds and animals. She lived in Hawthorne, CA, a community near the Los Angeles airport. Fannie Lee had been widowed at a young age, and was left to support her young family. Many of our Southern California artists had the opportunity to study with Fannie Lee. She taught classses and seminars for many years, until the demands of her age forced her to give up her home and move to the southeast to be cared for by family. Some of you will recognize her name from the premixed enamel she sold.

Aaron and I are proud owners of one of Fannie Lee's bird paintings. She brought it to us one day, and I told her it would have a place of honor in our home. She looked at me wistfully and asked "Aren't you going to take it to shows or keep it in your showroom so more people can see it?". So it has been here in the showroom since we got it. I didn't want to travel around with it, because of the risk of breakage.

We remember Fannie Lee fondly, and send our condolences to her family.

Freddi

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