Billy Graham's Wife Ruth Dies

[supernova]

Source: WRAL.com

Billy Graham's Wife Ruth Dies
By MIKE BAKER
Associated Press Writer
Posted: Today at 2:48 p.m.
Updated: 1 minute ago

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."

Read more: http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/1501035/

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Mods, the article was only 4 paragraphs long anyway.

My condolences to Her family. RIP Ruth.

[Catch22Dem]

1. RIP

Sounds like they had a good life together.

[some guy]

2. May she rest in peace.

My condolences to her family and friends.

:grouphug:

[TwilightGardener]

3. God bless her and her family.

[Sequoia]

4. Good-bye.

I grew up in Asheville, NC and the Graham's were like neighbors and we were always hearing about them, watching the crusades and such so it seems like a distant family member has died.

Funny story: One day while visiting my family to show off the new baby we were on the freeway looking for an exit when we passed a sign that announced Billy Graham's school/resort or something and my husband teased me and said he was going to drop me off and I said he was the one to be dropped off 'cause he was such a sinner. We lost our exit so got off and circle back to the freeway when low and behold we went around a curve in the road and right there was Billy's place close to where my sister lived. It had been years since I went back and everything had changed so it was almost as if I was in a brand new town with all the freeways there that were being completed when I left.

[olddad56]

7. I guess you woulda had to have been there.

[Sequoia]

13. I'm not very funny am I?

Never mind.

[ronnykmarshall]

16. I think your story was sweet.

Looks like the previous poster found some bird poop in their oatmeal this morning.

[Sequoia]

35. Thanks.

If you knew how my hubby dissed fundies you'd understand. I went home and shook my finger at him like hot headed preachers do and told him he was a sinner and going to hell if he didn't repent.

[ronnykmarshall]

15. Well that was rude.

[supernova]

9. The Asheville/Montreat/Black Mountain area

is getting more touristy now.

But it's still one of my fav parts of the State.

Thanks for sharing your story. :-)

[superconnected]

5. Rip.

[ozymandius]

6. My condolences to the Graham family.

The elder Grahams have my highest respect for the their steadfast regard for the spiritual nature of their life's work. Quality to the end.

[19jet54]

8. Truly, doves of God...

... who lived the example, whom few on earth criticized, and they only preached to those who actually wanted to hear it. Very few like them & I doubt many like that will pass this way again - Peace and joy to the family ... my deepest condolences.

[janetle]

10. Love your post. Expresses my thoughts as well.

[Bjorn Against]

11. I have respect for Graham, he has not allowed his ministry to be overtaken by politics

I don't agree with everything the man says, but I can see goodness inside his heart. I can not say the same for too many other big name evangelical preachers today. My sympathy is with his family today.

[Ferretherder]

12. I spent many nights watching Rev. Graham's crusades...

...with my grandmother on my mom's side. Ya' know, even though I am now an atheist, I still feel a good bit of respect for the man. I mean, he really seemed to 'walk the walk', and THAT I can respect.

I mean this with all sincerity - may your god be with you, sir, and comfort you in this most trying hour....and may you be with your wife once again. RIP Ruth.

FH

[ronnykmarshall]

14. So sad.

Poor Billy. I can't imagine what that must be like to lose a partner of so many years.

RIP, Ruth.

[artfan]

17. my heart goes out to him

watching him it was clear he cared deeply for her i can not imagine having the strength to go on without my spouse

[lanlady]

18. nasty battle over her burial place

WaPo wrote about it in today's morning edition, before she died.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/13/AR2007061301447.html

[romantico]

19. I Could be mistaken

But isn't Billy Graham a Democrat? I thought he said somethng a couple years ago about how he had met with Clinton in the White House for counsel and how he thought Hilary would be a good President. Was it him or someone else who said that???

[DemoTex]

28. Billy Graham is a Democrat.

RIP Ruth.

[Iris]

32. I didn't know that. I'm sad to hear about Ruth. Such a long life they had together.

And it kind of reminds us it won't be long before one of the last sane evangelical voices leaves us, too.

[DemoTex]

33. Indeed ..

Billy Graham has appeared live (I had to say that in the age of TV) before more people worldwide than anyone in history. He had his foibles (the awful tapes with Nixon), but I think he was a good man. A good Presbyterian. A good Christian (whatever that means). And, probably in the voting booth where the rubber meets the road, a damn good Democrat!

Billy is alone now. His wonderful wife is gone. He won't last long, sad to say.

[emilyg]

20. Nice lady. RIP.

[pinto]

21. RIP Mrs. Graham. (fwiw - the Graham organization leased me a piece

of land and underwrote my initial purchases of greenhouse and equipment in the 80's.
I am still appreciative of that kindness, and risk, financially. Their rep came by to check up on our progress, and he was totally non-judgmental - the project was mine and my partner's - interested in what we were doing and supportive.)

[Vidar]

22. RIP

[colorado_ufo]

23. Rest peacefully in Heaven, dear lady.

[KnaveRupe]

24. As an atheist, let me say:

my sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to Rev. Graham and his family.

I've never had anything against Billy Graham; in a sea of hypocrites, he was always the only "televangelist" who struck me as sincere and genuine. Unlike Falwell, unlike Robertson, unlike Dobson et al, I believe Billy Graham is a genuinely good man, and I'm glad for him that he has a strong faith to comfort him in this time of loss and grief.

[qanda]

25. RIP Ruth

My condolences to the Graham family

[RFKHumphreyObama]

26. RIP Mrs Graham

You lived a great life in service of the Lord and may you enjoy your eternal life in the next world with the Lord you served

My deepest and most heartfelt thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies to the Graham family and especially to Billy Graham.

[roody]

27. Billy Graham sincerely and genuinely prayed

with Bush poppy the night before he invaded Iraq to oust them from Kuwait. He lost any leftover respect from my happy childhood the day he blessed war.

[roody]

29. Condolences.

I grew up in this culture. These nice Christian people are part of the problem of our war culture. I wish them enlightenment. And everyone else as well.

[flamingyouth]

30. RIP

Condolences to the family.

[Rydz777]

31. Indeed RIP. His own health is failing and I know he will live out

his life's course, but when he goes, he will go in the confidence that he will again see the woman he loved.

[SeattleGirl]

34. Rest in peace, Ruth, and my heartfelt condolences to Rev. Graham.

In a world with so many fake, hypocritical "men of God", they were/are definitely the genuine article. Can't say I agree with everything the good Reverend believes, but it is obvious (to me) that he is the real deal, and obvious too, that his love for his wife was deep, and will endure for the ages.

Rest well, Ruth. I know you will be there for Billy when it's his time.