Ferne Poe

Ferne Lavelle Poe, (93) of Lander Wyoming passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7th, 2025, at Westward Heights Care Center while under the care of loving and devoted people.

Ferne was born to James Roy Justice and Willie (Bill) Guy Justice on August 25, 1931 in Eastland, Texas. She married Joe Neal Poe on July 22nd, 1950; celebrating their 73rd anniversary together in September of 2023. Ferne spent the first nine years of her marriage in Pampa, Texas where she and Joe started a family with the births of their two oldest children, Wes and Lesli. The family moved to Glenrock, Wyoming and after three years, they moved to Lander where she and Joe would add one more daughter, Susie, to their family.

Ferne wore many hats over the years. First and foremost she was a loving wife and mother. Ferne also was a bank teller, a secretary at Lander Valley High School, and a bookkeeper and payroll clerk for the Fremont County School District. For 30 years she and Joe worked side by side to run their ranch south of Lander all while working their regular jobs and raising their children. After retiring she provided childcare for several families over the next seven years. The children she cared for developed a special bond with their "Nana" and she always considered them as family. Several of these children kept in contact with her up until her final days.

Ferne cherished her belief in God. She met some of her dearest lifelong friends in church. She enjoyed serving in the church through being a member of the social committee and teaching Sunday School. She dearly loved her husband, Joe and her three children. Being a grandmother was the biggest joy in her life. She adored each of her grandchildren and made them all feel special and loved. Ferne was a loving and loyal friend. Being connected to people as well as giving and doing things for others was always her main consideration. She rarely thought of herself first.

It was a rare occasion that Ferne did not have a beaming smile on her face. She lit up the room with her beautiful smile which is something people who knew her continue to talk about.

Ferne's favorite pastimes were raising and nurturing children. Gardening on a large scale; she often shared what she grew with others as well as canning a wide variety of foods from green beans to her famous sweet pickles. She grew and tended beautiful flower gardens and was said to have a "green thumb". She was an amazing cook who made everything from southern style meals to candy, cookies and desserts. She made some of the best sugar cookies ever. She was a constant companion to her husband Joe, accompanying him while fishing, hunting and ranching.

Ferne led a beautiful and long life. Her kind and caring ways will be missed by her family and her many friends.

Ferne is survived by her daughter Lesli Bartell (Kent Simon) of Lander, daughter, Susie Link (Bryan) of Las Vegas, Nevada, daughter-in-law, Jeri Poe of Lander. Grandchildren, Jolie (Adrienne) Connolly-Poe, Aimee Moore, Jeff (Ashley) Link and Mike Link. Great Grandsons Blaike Kandler, Logan Moore and Tavish Moore and Great Granddaughters Linley and Lacey Link.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, her parents, Roy and Bill Justice of Eastland Texas, her son Wes Poe of Lander, her brothers Harold Justice and Glen Justice, and her sister, Ruth Horn.

A memorial service will be held on June 6th, 2025, 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, 339 Sweetwater Street in Lander Wyoming with a reception following.

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com

Any donations in Ferne's memory can be made directly to The First Baptist Church at the above address.