Ferne Pearce Fairbourne: Musician & Beautician
The Singer and the Beauty Box
The Life of George (1917–2004) & Ferne Pearce Fairbourne (1918–1996)
Music and beauty were the twin passions that shaped the life of Ferne Pearce Fairbourne—and ultimately brought her to George Eldon Fairbourne.
Back in the day, George and “the boys from Bacchus” needed a lead singer for their band—someone with talent and stage presence. In stepped Ferne Pearce, who had already sung with Uncle Pep’s Band and was known for her clear voice and graceful style. Soon duets with George turned into a courtship, and before long, marriage. What began as harmony on stage became a lifelong partnership, sealed in 1940.
Alongside her music, Ferne built a career in beauty. She began modestly, styling hair out of her home. By the mid-1950s, her ambitions grew into something much larger. With George’s help developing the corner of 3200 West and 3500 South, she opened Ferne’s Beauty Box, a bustling salon with ten operators. The site became a small hub of community life, housing not only the Beauty Box but also a café (which George managed and named Pizza Hut—years before the national chain arrived in Utah), Dick’s Barbershop, Dr. Glenroy Wallace’s Dental Office, Motor’s Market, a bookstore, and two private offices. Today, Arby’s stands on that corner, but for decades it was a landmark of Granger enterprise.
Ferne Fairbourne was a beautiful and gracious lady, making her a perfect choice to serve as a local beauty contest judge. Alongside Buck Brady, Ivan Woodbury, Joe Sloan, and Miss Carroll (representing Darrell Sisemore of Darrell’s Beauty Salon), Ferne helped evaluate contestants on the qualities of face and figure, charm, personality, and talent. With her background in music, style, and community service, she brought both experience and elegance to the panel.
Ferne also lent her talents to the community in tender ways. She styled hair for McDougal Funeral Home, a service that her daughter Julynne later carried on, continuing many years of family care for grieving families.
Through it all, music remained at the heart of her life. It was the spark that first tied her to George, and together with their daughters, Julynne and Sharla, music filled their home and their church. Ferne shared her talents widely—singing, leading choirs, and producing stake plays with Dean Almond.
George and Ferne were deeply devoted to family, faith, and community. He passed away in 2004, and she in 1996, but their legacy of music, service, and entrepreneurship continues to echo in West Valley history.
Ferne was a woman ahead of her time—tenacious, creative, and unafraid to build something new. George was steady, hardworking, and supportive, always ready with music, real estate ventures, or community service. Together they made Granger a more vibrant place.
