Nella M. Sears

Nella Mae Sears

5/11/1937 - 12/1/2025

Nella Mae Sears (nee Medlock) Age 88

Passed away peacefully at home with her daughter by her side, while under the care of Hospice.

Nell was born in Barbourville, KY to Anna Mae and Fred Medlock, the oldest daughter and the second of ten children. Growing up she doted on her younger siblings, often taking on the role of a second mom. Nell attended both Baptist and Methodist churches in Barbourville and Cincinnati throughout her life. A spiritual person, she believed God to be everywhere, just a prayer away when you needed Him most.

Nell’s love for music was a constant throughout her life. She was especially fond of spirituals and had a particular love for the gospel recordings of Elvis Presley and other artists from that era. Music filled her home, spanning a wide range of styles and decades, creating a lively and comforting atmosphere for all who visited.

Whether sharing moments with her daughter Dee as a child or later with Griffin, Nell made sure that every activity had its own unique soundtrack. From cleaning the house to baking cookies, or chauffeuring Dee and her friends, music was always present.

For a few years in her 20’s Nell lived the West coast life in California near her brother Don and sister Dorothy. She loved telling stories of how she participated in the “running of the smelt” tradition of catching the fish with her bare hands.

Coming back to Cincinnati, she worked for several years at the Little Mexico chili parlor as a waitress and cook located on Vine Street in Over the Rhine, downtown Cincinnati. Her sister Brenda, 10 years younger, joined her at the Little Mexico and this experience solidified their bond as sisters and best friends for life. Years of stories, adventures and life experience followed, and she loved to reminisce about those days and living in the city. She was always eager to take a drive through the old neighborhoods where she had lived with her family and in her first Cincinnati apartment on Magnolia Street near Music Hall and Washington Park. Those drives and tours with Nell will always be some of the most cherished memories for her daughter.

She met Marvin while working at the Little Mexico. After marrying in 1963, they moved into their first apartment on Cincinnati’s Westside where they met Margie and James Younghans who would become their closest lifelong friends. Nell and Margie, best friends of 61 years delighted in their “monthly drunks” that often-included wine and bourbon slushes that quickly became their signature cocktail of the holiday season. Up until 3 years ago, they were continuing this tradition of the ultimate ladies’ afternoons.

In February 1971, Nell’s only child, a daughter, Marva Denise was born after several years of being told she could not have children, Nell lovingly welcomed the baby nicknamed Dee Dee. Nell always made sure that Dee was surrounded by her numerous cousins, aunts and uncles on vacations to Anna Maria Island, Florida, trips to Barbourville in the summers and for the holidays, especially Christmas, creating life-long memories that will always be cherished.

Nell was gifted at ensuring Dee had incredible life experiences surrounded by love, adventures and special time together. By teaching Dee to bake, she made sure her beloved pie crust recipe would live on for generations, a dessert staple for holiday gatherings and celebrations.

As a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader, Nell contributed her expertise in crafts and outdoor cooking during campouts over several years, instructing her scouts in essential life skills and fostering resilience to navigate life's challenges. She quickly became known as “Mom” to numerous friends of Dee’s throughout her childhood. Many of those kids who spent time and attended parties at our warm, loving home on Biscayne still recall what “Mom” meant to them and how her advice has helped them throughout their lives.

After Marvin was no longer part of their lives, Nell devoted herself to caring for their home and making sure Dee could fully participate in countless activities. Her commitment to maintaining a welcoming and immaculate household was well known-friends often remarked that dust never had a chance to settle at their home on Biscayne. In addition to her spotless interiors, Nell took great pride in her yard and gardens, creating a vibrant and joyful space that delighted everyone who passed by.

Nell’s passion for gardening and flowers became a cherished tradition that she lovingly passed on to her daughter, Dee. Gardening forged a special bond between them, and Dee continues to honor her mother’s memory by planting Nell’s favorite flowers-hydrangea, roses, hostas, dahlias, and geraniums-year after year. These beautiful plants serve as living reminders of Nell’s love and the joyful times they shared tending to their garden.

To support herself and Dee, she founded a residential cleaning service that soon gained popularity across the Westside. Within a short time, she employed three friends and ran the business for over 20 years. She also worked as a home health aide, caring for elderly patients that remained in her heart. Each December, Nell baked dozens of treats for her patients, clients, friends, and neighbors-an annual tradition she continued until recent years.

In June of 1990, she married Jim after meeting him at what she would have called a “honky tonk” on the Westside and the rest is a 35 year love story. Their marriage included traveling, Jim’s bad dad jokes and her distain of his Hawaiian shirt collection, carefully curated by Dee to see her make “the face” along with a huge eye roll on his birthday and Father’s Day. To see her so happy with Jim all of these years has been a pleasure for all who love her. Jim also tirelessly helped to care for Nell these last few years at home for as long as possible. His dedication to her care and comfort will always be a shining example of true love.

In February 2003, Nell was just inches away when Griffin John, her only grandchild was born and their bond has been immeasurable ever since. When he began to talk, he named her Gaga, a sound that brought her incredible joy for 22 years. She was more than his grandmother, she was his second mom, his confidant, and the anchor of his world. She never missed one of his activities, performances, ceremonies, or life milestones. He was the absolute joy of her life from the moment he was born. At their house on Lakewood, so many framed photos of Griffin through the years hung on the walls, we referred to the “art” as her Griffin wallpaper.

Nell’s dedication to being an involved mom to Dee never waivered. Her strength in the worst of times was never more apparent than when her son-in-law Jeff passed away suddenly. Already experiencing physical and mobility challenges, steps were difficult for her to navigate. That didn’t stop her though from being there for Dee, she crawled up the steps to her bedroom and laid with her for hours on end as she grieved the unimaginable loss of Jeff.

Nell faced years of intense pain, physical hardship, and ongoing discomfort, yet she persevered with remarkable grace and dignity. Her positive outlook remained steadfast, no matter the challenges she encountered.

Throughout all of this, Nell was unwavering in her roles as a loving and supportive mother, cherished “Gaga,” and devoted wife. Her warmth, humor, and wisdom touched everyone close to her. The absence of her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, gentle southern accent, the way she called our names, and especially her comforting hugs and boundless, unconditional love will be deeply felt every day.

In our lives, Nell stands as the pinnacle of strength and humility. She exemplified how to become the best version of ourselves, meeting adversity head-on and inspiring all who knew her.

Thank you Mom, for the beautiful life you created for all of us, we will love you and miss you forever.

We want to extend a very heartfelt and special message of gratitude to Margie Younghans, Mary Jo Day, Charlotte Burkhartt, Brenda Loschiavo and Nell’s sister Brenda Grisham, Mike Davis and the numerous care staff of Shawneespring of Harrison especially Lena, Ashley, Stephanie, Morgan, Lexi, Ali, Diane, Danielle, Travis, Amy and Jennifer and her special “neighbor” Phyllis that held a special place in Nell’s heart. We are grateful for their friendships, participation in her emotional and physical care and their kindness and understanding as we navigated Nell’s care these last weeks. Thank you will never be enough.

Nell was the beloved wife of James D. Sears, and together they built a life filled with love and companionship. Her loving nature extended to her daughter, Denise Bradshaw Poage (Anthony Vickery), who carries forward Nell's legacy with grace. Nell was particularly proud of her grandson, Griffin J. Harding, whose accomplishments and character reflected her nurturing influence.

A strong family tie characterized Nell’s life; she is also survived by her sister, Brenda Grisham, who remained a steadfast presence throughout the years. The warmth of her loving heart encompassed her niece and nephew, Lesley (Phillip) Vaughn and Douglas (Spring) Grisham, along with her great nephew, Daniel Grisham. Nell’s family is further enriched by numerous nieces, nephews cousins, and cherished friends.

Nell is preceded in death by her late parents, Fred and Anna Mae Medlock, son-in-law, Jeffrey J. Poage, and her late great nephew, Nicholas Ore.

A celebration of Nell's life will be held Monday, December 8 at the Vitt, Stermer & Anderson Funeral Home 4619 Delhi Rd. with a visitation from 11 AM until time of her funeral service at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Hospice of Cincinnati.