Nell Mondy was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas to her father, Daly (sometimes recorded as Daley) who worked as the county tax assessor and mother, Ethel Caroll Mondy (born February 19, 1889).[4] Her father died of tuberculosis in 1924 when Nell was not yet 3 years old.[5][6][7] After his death her mother took up work as a journalist.[5] Ethel Mondy continued to live with Nell throughout the many locations her work took her.[4]