Elderly Woman’s Dream of Taco Bell Opening Fulfilled, Inspires Community with Resilience

Pauline Ferrell Monk, an 86-year-old woman from Sissonville, West Virginia, fulfilled a long-held dream recently: witnessing the opening of a Taco Bell in her hometown. Known affectionately now as the ‘Taco Bell Queen’, she had wished for a Taco Bell in Sissonville, a suburb of Charleston, for years.

A Long-Awaited Dream

Monk expressed her excitement when her son revealed the restaurant’s impending arrival. She said, “I was always wanting a Taco Bell here in this little town of Sissonville.” Her son, instrumental in bringing Taco Bell to town, assured her, “Mom, I finally got them to come. They’re going to be here for you.”

A Difficult Diagnosis

Amidst this joyous news, Monk faced a serious health challenge. A doctor’s visit after a virus revealed she had stage 4 cancer. “Out of nowhere, we found out that I had stage 4 cancer,” she said. Given months to live, Monk hoped to see the Taco Bell open before passing.

The Grand Opening Day

Construction finished, and on opening day, Monk received a special early invitation. Her son’s role in bringing the restaurant was highlighted by his participation in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Monk’s presence turned the event into more than just an opening; it was a celebration of her life and perseverance. The local community and internet recognized her as a local legend.

“They hollered, ‘She’s the Taco Bell queen,'” Monk recounted, revealing how the nickname became widely known.

Monk’s preferred choices include Nachos BellGrande and chicken quesadilla, enjoying cinnamon twists for dessert. Her embrace of the ‘Taco Bell queen’ title is supported by her family.

A Life of Giving

Beyond her love for Taco Bell, Monk’s life is rich with acts of generosity. Raised with seven siblings in a rural area, she dedicated herself to community service. Known for baking pies for her church and community, Monk remarked, “I gave, and I was happy and joyous to give people pies and apple pies.” Now, the kindness she extended is returned by the community.

“Everybody at church, everybody I knew got pies,” she shared. “And now they’re giving it back. I’m getting food from everywhere.”

Support in Her Journey

Surrounded by family, including a caring husband, Monk finds peace through her faith. She expressed, “I know the Lord and the Lord knows me. When he’s ready for me to come home, he’ll take me, and I’m ready to go.” With doctors advising against chemotherapy due to her age, it’s a matter of time, but Monk remains focused on her faith.

Monk’s journey not only brought smiles but also cemented her legacy of generosity and resilience. The love from family, community, and strangers deeply touched her, reflecting the profound impact of one woman’s dream becoming reality.