Ferne (Prather) Bee, age 88, formerly of Edgewood, IL passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Heartland Senior Living, Neoga, IL.

She was born on September 11, 1933, in Edgewood, IL, the daughter of Clarence Jennings Prather, Sr. and Mary A. (Jordan) Prather. She married Charles Michael Bee on March 28, 1953, in Edgewood, Illinois.

She was strong in her faith, and a member of the United Methodist Church. Ferne was sassy and strong. She loved cooking and was happiest cooking for and spending time with her family, friends and co-workers.

She enjoyed a long career in real estate, beginning at Cross-Davidson Realty. She then was co-owner ofBee Inc. Realtors, Gallina-Bee Realty, and Century-21 Bee Realtors, (consecutively), all of Mt. Vernon, IL.

One of her outstanding accomplishments in real estate was being the first female President of the Egyptian Board of Realtors. Real Estate was Ferne's avenue for helping people, and she loved finding customers their forever homes!

She is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Bob) Newton, of Dunnellon, Florida, and Rachel (Roger) Beck, of Effingham, Illinois; grandchildren Adam Bee, Michael Bee, Emily Newton, Jessica Peters, Jordan Beck, Nicholas Beck, and Lindsey Beck. She has 4 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Charles Mark Bee; her parents, Clarence Sr. and Mary Prather; brothers, Clarence Prather Jr., Otis Prather, Mark Prather; sisters, Helen Hites, Rosella Rush, and Janice Prather; nephews, Darryl Rush and Paul Prather.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022 followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Bauer Funeral Home, 1212 Evergreen Ave., Effingham, Illinois. Burial will be immediately following at Edgewood Cemetery in Edgewood, Illinois.

Services are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham. In memory of Ferne, Memorials may be made to the Special Needs Trust of Lindsey Beck,c/o Rachel Beck, 15028 N. Haarmann Ave., Effingham, IL 62401 . Online condolences can be made through Bauer Funeral Home.