Fern, the oldest child of Campbell Burris and Edith Harper Burris, was born in Bandera, Texas and grew up there. She graduated from Bandera High School in 1923. She then moved to San Antonio to complete her college entrance credits at Main Avenue High School and attended Southwest Texas Normal in San Marcos. She taught school in Rocky Creek (near Medina) and Laguna (near Uvalde). She married David Bell, Jr. of San Antonio. They had two children, Mary Louise (M.Ed., a high school counselor) and David III (M.S., retired aero space engineer at NASA).

Fern owned a beautiful old home on Belknap Place in San Antonio. This home’s many unique and distinguishing features are a hand carved, massive oak staircase that goes up three floors; eight fireplaces throughout the three story home; two formal living areas divided by massive nine-foot pocket doors; waist-high wainscot in oak with carved panels and dental molding on the first floor; circular first floor parlor; and leaded glass doors and windows. Griffins made of cooper and tin alloy flank the top step of the front entry, a carriage house; and an octagonal fern house adorn the outside grounds. Originally, the third floor was a ballroom where dances were regularly held. Scenes from Texas history were carved into the beautiful woodwork. Later, it served as a home to many young women boarders from nearby military bases during World War II; thereafter, rented to students from nearby schools and colleges. Fern's daughter, Mary Louise, turned the home into a beautiful bed and breakfast, the Belle of Monte Vista, until her death.

Fern taught school most of her life and had a keen interest in science and geology. Her basement was full of rock specimens and assorted items. If you needed something, chances are Aunt Fern probably had one in her basement.

Fern retired as science a teacher in San Antonio and enjoyed doing chemical analysis on her mines in Alaska and other areas.