Copyright © 1997 Reuter Information Service LOS ANGELES (Mar 17, 1997 6:37 p.m. EST) - Actress Gail Davis, who played "Annie Oakley" in the popular television series of the same name in the 1950s, has died at the age of 71, a hospital spokesman said Monday. Davis, who was seen by millions in her role as the gun-toting, pig-tailed rancher, died of cancer Saturday at St. Joseph Medical Center in Los Angeles. "Annie Oakley" ran on ABC from 1955 through 1958 and was seen on repeats well into the 1960s. It was the first western to star a woman. The show was created for Davis by "singing cowboy" Gene Autry, with whom she had previously appeared in several westerns. After the series ended Davis continued to make personal appearances with Autry. She also appeared in TV specials, including "Wide, Wide World: The Western," in 1958, a "Bob Hope Special" in 1959 and "The Andy Griffith Show: The Perfect Female," in 1961. Davis was born Betty Jeanne Grayson in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Oct. 5, 1925. She studied drama and dance at the University of Texas, where she met and married her first husband, fellow student Bob Davis. They were divorced in 1952 following the birth of her daughter, Terrie. She later married Carl Guerriero, an auto dealer. He died in 1982. Davis is survived by her daughter, who lives in Texas.