Remembering Ruth Bell Graham: 1920 - 2007

Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Christian evangelist Billy Graham, passed away at 5:05 p.m. on June 14 at her home in Montreat, North Carolina. Her husband and all five children were present at the time of her death. In a statement released by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), Reverend Graham said:

“Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team ... 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.”

In recent days Ruth had been bedridden with degenerative osteoarthritis. Her condition deteriorated after suffering from pneumonia two weeks ago. Ruth, who just turned 87, was married to Billy Graham for 64 years. They have five children, 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She will be buried at the newly dedicated Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Read More:

• Visit the Ruth Bell Graham Memorial
• Bio - Rev. Billy Graham