Ruth Graham, wife of US evangelist Billy Graham is in a coma and near death.
The 87 year old celebrated her birthday Sunday with her family and slipped into the coma this morning.
The family announced this afternoon that Mr. Graham will be buried at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Library.
In a statement released this afternoon, Billy Graham said the decision was made after “much prayer and discussion.” The library was dedicated May 31 at a ceremony attended by Graham and the three living former presidents.
“We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to heaven,” Billy Graham said. “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.”
After a bout with pneumonia two weeks ago, Ruth Bell Graham slipped into a coma at the Grahams home in Montreat this morning, according to longtime Graham family spokesman A. Larry Ross. Four of the Grahams five children are at the home this afternoon, and the youngest, Ned, was in en route, Ross said. Citizen-Times
The Washington Post reported several months ago, that Ruth Graham’s wishes for burial were in conflict with the Billy Graham Association.
See here
Why Southern Baptist Venerate Billy Graham here.
Charlotte Observer on The Billy Graham Library
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Update: 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 of their children, said a statement released by Larry Ross, Billy Graham’s spokesman. (AP) (photo BGEA)
An online memorial site for Ruth Bell Graham has been set up here.
Published 1 year, 6 months ago
Search
Subscribe 
You are currently browsing the Bene Diction Blogs On weblog archives.
Related Entries
- Not the hour of decision
- Blogger takes on spammers - publishes hilarious book
- How Southern Baptists venerate - Billy Graham
- Journal of Ruth rejected by Christian Carnival
- Blogs and more blog
- We might have done it differently
- Blogging will resume later
- Cold weather Haikus anyone?
- The government and the child
- While the cat's away...
For blog design, Wordpress or MovableType coding or blog consulting, see cre8d design.
MY HEART IS CRYING FOR THE GRAHAM FAMILY MOSTLY FOR MR GRAHAM HERE IS MY SPECIAL PRAY FOR MRS GRAHAM DEAR JESUS PLEASE BE WITH THE GRAHAM FAMILY DONT ALLOW A DEATH END INTO A FAMILY FUIDE THE KIDS NEED YOU RIGHT NOW TO TOUCH THERE HEARTS FOR YOU TO LEAD THE CHILDREN FOR THEM TO STAY TOGETHER AMEN
Dear Grahams,
Ruth Graham was a wonderful leader as much as her husband is, but Ruth was a leader for many women of the christian faith. She will be truely missed, may the Lord strenthen the Graham family in thier time of grief. The Lord will be waiting for her at heaven’s gate, she has been my beacon for many year’s and I know the world was a better place for all the life’s she touched when she was here. I just hope that some how my words will give the Graham’s some kind of comfort knowing that people cared and loved Ruth as much as we love Mr. Graham may the Lord strenthen and bless your family at this time.
Dearest Mr. Billy Graham,Ruth and Family,
Oh how my heart goes out to all of
you, I know I lost my dear sweet Mother 2 year’s ago.
The memoies we have shared over the year’s are just
priceless . You see I too took care of my Mother for 8 wonderful year’s , watching her fail more each year
with alzheimers. As all of you can understand, I would not bring her back for all the money in the world. You
see, she to is in a much better place than we are, a
place hard for us too imagine . So thank God for the wonderful years each of you had with Mrs Ruth and cherish them FOREVER . As always ya’ll are in my Prayers and alwalys will be .
Love in Christ
Patsy Garrison
Patsy Garrison
The family has announced Mrs. Graham will be buried at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Library this afternoon.
I hate to be a nitpicker on this, but you might want to edit the above sentence so it doesn’t sound like they’re going to be burying a comatose Mrs. Graham this afternoon. Try, “The family announced this afternoon that Mr. Graham will be buried at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Library.”
I think it is beyond scandalous that Billy and Ruth Graham have been so effectively manipulated by Franklin Graham and his corporate chieftans at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. To try and suggest, contrary to ample evidence, that Ruth’s wishes were to be buried in that tacky “circus” context (to use her word), is to demean her and to place the need for donations above the needs of one’s own mother and father. How shameful, disgraceful, and, ultimately, unchristian!
God be with Ruth and Billy; God help Franklin Graham.
Right Robert, that sentence is mangled. Thanks. Fixed.
Chris, for years it’s been reported Mrs. Graham wanted two things:
a) to be buried beside her husband
b) to be buried at The Cove in Montreat
“When Graham and his wife die, Ross said, they will be buried at the foot of a cross-shaped walkway in the library’s prayer garden - a symbolic decision to demonstrate both their reverence to God and their “ongoing witness of their faith in Christ.” (The Guardian)
Ruth Graham spent her life sharing him with the world, it’s painfully obvious that is Association/corporate speak and it’s sad.
When Billy Graham attended the library opening he said, “There is too much Billy Graham here.”
Yeah.
May God be with them.
You can leave your thoughts and condolences at the memorial site here.
For some thoughts on Mrs. Graham’s death, read my latest blot entry titled “Remembering Ruth Graham–because the media won’t!”
http://michaelhalcomb.blogspot.com/