Taco Bell Dreams Fulfilled for West Virginia Woman

An 86-year-old woman from West Virginia, known as the ‘Taco Bell Queen’, recently fulfilled her long-held wish to see a Taco Bell open in her hometown. Pauline Ferrell Monk, who had hoped for years for a local branch, didn’t know if she’d live to witness it.

Dream Realized

Monk expressed her joy when her son informed her that the fast-food chain was indeed coming to their suburb of Charleston. “I was always wanting a Taco Bell here in this little town of Sissonville,” Monk explained. Her son had campaigned for the restaurant, telling her, “Mom, I finally got them to come. They’re going to be here for you.”

However, around the same period, Monk received a dire diagnosis. She found out she had stage 4 cancer after a doctor’s visit due to a virus. “Out of nowhere, we found out I had stage 4 cancer,” she said, as doctors gave her only a few months to live.

Challenging Setback

As she watched the Taco Bell construction progress, Monk questioned if she’d live to see the opening. She hoped “the Lord” would allow her to witness it.

Fortunately, she did. When the restaurant opened, Monk was there to celebrate, becoming a symbol of community spirit. Her son, who helped advocate for the establishment, was also present to cut the ribbon.

Local Legend

Monk became an unexpected sensation, with onlookers dubbing her the ‘Taco Bell queen’. Her favorite orders include Nachos BellGrande and chicken quesadillas, with cinnamon twists as a dessert.

Beyond her Taco Bell title, Monk’s life involves family, faith, and community. Growing up with seven siblings, she has always been generous, often baking pies for local church members. “I’ve always been a Christian, and I was happy to give people apple pies,” she recalled.

Acts of Kindness

Now, she finds the community returning kindness. “I’m getting food from everywhere,” she noted, receiving care from her devoted husband and family. “My husband has been so good to take care of me,” Monk said.

Her faith provides her comfort as cancer advances. After declining chemotherapy due to her age, Monk learned the disease had spread. Yet her spirit remains undaunted.

“While I’m here, I want to spread the word of God and be thankful,” she affirmed, feeling grateful for the love from all those who have heard her tale.