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An 86-year-old West Virginia woman who long dreamed of seeing a Taco Bell open in her hometown recently managed to cross the grand opening off her bucket list after wondering if she would live long enough to see it happen.
The 'Queen of Taco Bell' said she had hoped for years that the city, a suburb of Charleston, would have its own location. “I always wanted a Taco Bell here in this little town of Sissonville,” Monk said. When her son told her they were finally opening the restaurant, Monk mentioned she was thrilled.
“My son…had been working on getting one,” she said. “He [came] One day he came to me and said, 'Mom, I finally got them to come.' They are coming. “They will be here to help you.”
Pauline Ferrell Monk is on the side of the road campaigning for her son, Dana Ferrell (R-WV), who is running for the 39th House of Delegates, on Election Day on November 6, 2018 in Sissonville, West Virginia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
But almost at the same time, Monk received devastating news. After contracting a virus and visiting his doctor, he said medical tests revealed he had stage 4 cancer. Monk said doctors told him he had a few months to live.
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“Out of nowhere, we found out I had stage 4 cancer,” he said.
As construction continued on the Taco Bell, Monk said he wondered if he would live to see the restaurant open. “As I was walking up and down the street in front of Taco Bell, they were working, and I'm just trying to guess and figure out: Will the Lord let me stay here long enough to see that Taco Bell open?” she questioned. “They were supposed to be for me, and now I may have to leave this world before I can see it open.”
Not long after, construction of the Taco Bell in their city was completed. On opening day, Monk said they brought her in early to celebrate. His son, who helped defend the restaurant, was expected to cut the ribbon, so he brought Pauline with him.
The moment quickly became something bigger than a restaurant opening. The Sissonville resident became a local legend and an Internet sensation.
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“Everyone screamed,” Monk said of the people waiting outside. “They said, 'She's the queen of Taco Bell.' So now I'm known everywhere I go as the queen of Taco Bell.”
Pauline explains that Taco Bell's favorite order is Nachos BellGrande or a chicken quesadilla, and she enjoys the cinnamon twists for dessert. His family has also taken a liking to his new title. Although the Taco Bell story has brought Monk unexpected and wonderful attention, she said there is more to her life than her love for the fast food chain.
Pauline Monk is joined by her family members Pete Ferrell, Pauline Monk, Robin (Ferrell) Martin and Dana Ferrell. (Courtesy of Autumn Martin)
Monk said she grew up with 7 siblings in a local rural town and has always tried to be generous. For years, she said, she baked pies for people in her church and community. “Since I was a child, I have always attended church and been a Christian over the years,” Monk said. “I gave and was happy and joyful to give people apple pies and pies.”
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Now, he said, that kindness is being returned.
“Everyone in the church, everyone I knew, ate cakes,” he noted. “And now they're giving it back to me. I'm getting food from everywhere.”
Monk mentioned that her loving husband and family are taking care of her. “I have a good husband,” she said. “My husband has been very good at taking care of me.”
She said her faith has helped her remain at peace as her cancer progressed. “I know the Lord and the Lord knows me,” Monk insisted. “I feel like when he's ready for me to come home, he'll take me and I'll be ready to go.” Monk mentioned that doctors advised against chemotherapy because of his age. He said he later learned the cancer had spread to his lungs.
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“It's just a matter of time,” he said. “But while I'm here, I want to spread the word of God and be grateful and help people in any way I can.”
As her story continues to make people smile, Monk said she is grateful for the love she has received from her family, her community and from strangers who have heard of the “Queen of Taco Bell.”
