Ruth Graham dies at ages 87 years old

[sara1981]

Billy Graham's wife Ruth dies
Billy Graham's wife Ruth dies - Yahoo! News

MONTREAT, N.C. - Ruth Graham, who surrendered dreams of missionary work in Tibet to marry a suitor who became the world's most renowned evangelist, died Thursday. She was 87.

Graham died at 5:05 p.m. at her home at Little Piney Cove, surrounded by her husband and all five children, said a statement released by Larry Ross, Billy Graham's spokesman.

"Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team," Billy Graham said in a statement. "No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.

"I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we've had in the mountains together. We've rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven."

Ruth Graham has been bedridden for months with degenerative osteoarthritis of the back and neck and underwent treatment for pneumonia two weeks ago. At her request, and in consultation with her family, she had stopped receiving nutrients through a feeding tube for the last few days, Ross said.

The family plans a private interment ceremony and a public memorial service. Those arrangement had yet to be made on Thursday.

As Mrs. Billy Graham, Ruth Graham could lay claim to being the first lady of evangelical Protestantism, but neither exploited that unique status nor lusted for the limelight.

Behind the scenes, however, Ruth Graham was considered her husband's closest confidant during his spectacular global career — rivaled only by her father, L. Nelson Bell, until his death in 1973.

Bell, a missionary doctor, headed the Presbyterian hospital in Qingjiang, China, that had been founded by the father of author Pearl Buck. Ruth grew up there and spent three high school years in what's now North Korea.

 

[sara1981]

Ruth Graham Dies At Montreat Home
Ruth Graham Dies At Montreat Home - Charlotte News Story - WSOC Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ruth Graham passed away late Thursday afternoon. Her condition worsened through the morning and she became less responsive to family and caregivers.

In a statement on the ailing wife of evangelist Billy Graham, a family spokesman said early Thursday that Ruth was "semi-comatose" and experiencing "fluctuating levels of consciousness" on Wednesday.

On Thursday she was experiencing episodes of dropping blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.

Ruth Graham's husband and children have been huddled at her bedside. According to the family statement, Mrs. Graham, at her request, was being treated at home with minimal artificial support.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association released the following statement from the Rev. Billy Graham on Wednesday afternoon:

“Earlier this spring, after much prayer and discussion, Ruth and I made the decision to be buried beside each other at the Billy Graham Library in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.

We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to heaven.

Ruth is my soul mate and best friend, and I cannot imagine living a single day without her by my side. I am more in love with her today than when we first met over 65 years ago as students at Wheaton College.

Ruth and I appreciate, more than we can express, the prayers and letters of encouragement we have received from people across the country and around the world. Our entire family has been home in recent days and it has meant so much to have them at our side during this time. We love each one of them dearly and thank God for them.”

The Grahams will be buried at the end of the prayer garden at the library in a flower box made of stone from their Montreat home. It's at the foot of a cross-shaped walkway. A spokesman said it is a symbolic decision to demonstrate both their reverence to God and their "ongoing witness of their faith in Christ."

Months ago the Graham children had argued over where their parents would be buried, but the evangelist and his wife insisted they would make the decision themselves, and they kept it private until it was clear Ruth was close to death. The Washington Post reported last year the couple's youngest son Ned, citing the wishes of his mother, opposed burying his parents at the library. Ruth Graham wanted to be buried at The Cove, he said.

Ruth, who was 87, had degenerative osteoarthritis of the back and neck and had been bedridden for months. Billy Graham, 88, suffers from fluid on the brain, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease and age-related macular degeneration. The couple had been married nearly 64 years.

Ruth Graham rallied briefly after treatment for pneumonia two weeks ago, but her health worsened because of her weakened condition. She had asked in recent weeks that a stomach tube used to provide her with food and fluids be removed. The tube accidentally fell out earlier this week, and the family spokesman says the Grahams decided to stop giving her nutrients.

Graham was still receiving medication through the tube, but had not received foods or fluid for several days.

Ruth Graham Successful In Her Own Right


The evangelist, their children and friends have given Ruth much of the credit for Billy Graham’s success. She raised their five children while he has gone on crusades, but she also has a long list of accomplishments as an author and poet. She wrote many memorable books and articles.

In Ruth Graham’s works she discusses happiness and laughter and the journey of life. In one book she described her writing as snapshots of her life and thoughts – things she didn’t want lost as time went on. One line that stands out reads, “Those who abandon ship the first time it enters a storm miss the calm beyond.”

Ruth was also accomplished in several other faculties. She designed the family’s log home in Montreat even though she had never had any formal training in architecture.

And 11 years ago, President Bill Clinton bestowed on both Ruth and Billy Graham the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest honor Congress can bestow on a citizen.

Ruth Graham always had a healthy sense of humor. She was once asked if she had ever considered divorce since Billy was gone so much. Her reply was, “Divorce, no. Murder, yes.”

The couple's daughter Anne Graham Lotz, who is a minister in Raleigh, told Eyewitness News several years ago that in many ways her mother raised the children by herself.

“We just love our father, but he wasn’t there in the home every day like my husband has been for my children,” she said.

An entire room at the Billy Graham Library, where the couple will be buried, is dedicated to the devoted wife and mother and her childhood. She spent it with her missionary parents in China.

At the library’s dedication two weeks ago, which Ruth was too ill to attend, Billy Graham spoke sweetly of his wife.

“Today I want to honor her and tell you how much I love her and tell you what a wonderful woman she has been,” he said at the start of his speech.

 

[Rio]

She will be missed and she's in heaven now rejoice!

 

[Barbaro]

She will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to Billy Graham and his family.

 

[Brian]

Rest In Peace, Mrs. Billy Graham.

I have this feeling that the Rev Dr. Billy Graham will be meeting his wife shortly.

 

[christlovedeaf]

She is eternally with the Lord with all the blessings what she had done here on earth. Greatly missed is occurring. God's comfort for Billy and families. The most godly couple and great example they have shown.

 

[Maria]

Aw, I am glad to know that she knew where she will be goin'. That's important thing.

I believe that Billy Graham will be next, followin' after his wife's death soon.

Rest in peace, Ruth.... and, enjoy all of your peace, rejoice, and love in Heaven. There will always be smilin' eternally.

 

[Mistyrose]

Yeah, thats sad but she is at peace now! God bless her
soul!
She had a good and long happy life with her wonderful husband,
Billy Graham.
Rest in peace and be happy with your Heavenly Father,
Ruth!