RUTH GRAHAM

Here's the Trick to watch videos

Ruth Graham treasured her role as the strong woman behind “America’s Pastor” and was Billy’s closest confidant, most trusted advisor, and dearest friend.

She loved to move behind the scenes, away from the spotlight, and helped him craft and research sermons and even books.

Ruth Bell Graham (June 10, 1920 – June 14, 2007), wife of

the famous evangelist Billy Graham, was born at Qingjiang, Kiangsu, China as Ruth McCue Bell, the second of five children.

Her parents, Dr. and Mrs. L. Nelson Bell, were medical missionaries at the Presbyterian Hospital 300 miles north of Shanghai. She grew up in China in a deeply religious household. Some of her early life in China is depicted in the biography of her father, a general surgeon, in "A Foreign Devil in China" (by John Charles Pollock).

Her maternal grandfather was Jewish. At the age of 13 she was enrolled in high school in Pyongyang, Korea, where she studied for three years.

Ruth completed her high school education at Montreat, North Carolina, while her parents were there on furlough. She graduated from Wheaton College (Illinois) in Wheaton, Illinois.

The Grahams met at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and

...were married on August 13 of 1943, shortly after their graduation. Ruth became a minister's wife for a brief period in Western Springs, Illinois. They lived out the rest of her life in Montreat, North Carolina. Despite Billy Graham being one of the world's most famous Baptists, his wife remained a Presbyterian and often taught Sunday School.

Between 1945 and 1958, Mrs. Graham gave birth to five children, whom she raised, sometimes single-handedly, while her husband was away on extended national and international evangelistic crusades. The three daughters and two sons who survive her are all actively involved in ministry, including eldest son Franklin, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) founded by his father.

In 1959, Ruth Graham published her first book, Our Christmas Story, an illustrated volume for children. She went on to write or co-write 13 other books, many of them works of poetry she wrote as an emotional release while her husband was so often on the road through the years.

Mrs. Graham wrote “Our Christmas Story,” “Sitting by My Laughing Fire,” “It's My Turn,” “The Legacy of a Pack Rat,” “Prodigals and Those Who Love Them,” “Clouds Are the Dust of His Feet,” “One Wintry Night,” “Coffee and Conversation with Ruth Bell Graham and Gigi Graham Tchividjian,” “Collected Poems,” “Mothers Together,” and “Prayers From A Mother’s Heart.”

Mrs. Graham’s most recent books published in 2001 are,

“Never Let It End: Poems of a Lifelong Love” published by Baker Books, “Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham,” published by Word Publishing and “A Quiet Knowing,” published by W Publishing Group.

Mrs. Graham’s significant role in Billy Graham's ministry was recognized in 1996, when they were jointly awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a special ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C..

Ruth Graham was always a vital part of Billy Graham’s evangelistic career, and he turned to her for advice and input about many ministry decisions. One of the early uses of media by the BGEA was the “Hour of Decision” radio program begun in 1950, which she named.

After her upbringing in China and high school experience in Korea, she continued to have compassion for the people of Asia. Ruth Graham encouraged her husband to visit and later accompanied him during his historic visits to the People's Republic of China.

In 1966, she founded the Ruth and Billy Graham Children's Health Center in Asheville, North Carolina, with which she was actively involved until her death.

Ruth Graham had been in frail health since suffering spinal meningitis in 1995. This was exacerbated by a degenerative osteoarthritis of the back and neck that began with a fall while testing a swing she made for her grandchildren in 1974 that resulted in chronic back pain for many years. During the final months of her life, Graham was bedridden and had contracted pneumonia.

The day before Ruth's death,

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

On Monday, June 11, at Ruth's request and subsequent to consultation with her family, she was removed from life support.

On June 13, 2007, following her decline into a semi-coma, Billy Graham announced that he and his wife had decided to be buried beside each other at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

She died at 5:05 p.m. EDT June 14, 2007, at her home, Little Piney Cove, in Montreat, North Carolina, with her husband and five children at her bedside. A private ceremony followed by burial on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library was held on Sunday, June 17, 2007.

In a statement released from Wheaton College, Dr. Duane Litfin, president of the school, remarked, “Strong, steady, and dauntless, Ruth Bell Graham was the glue that held the many of the parts of their lives together.” Understanding the importance of his calling, Ruth joined Rev. Graham willingly in his ministry, though she preferred her role to be behind the scenes.

Ruth Graham was a poet and writer, authoring or co-authoring 14 books, as well as a regular contributor for newspapers and magazines.

The Grahams have five children: Virginia (Gigi), Anne, Ruth, Franklin and Nelson Edman (Ned), nineteen grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren.

The suffering Ruth Graham observed in China’s mission fields strengthened her conviction of mankind’s need for the Savior. Until her early adult years, she dreamed of serving as a single missionary in a far corner of the world, the mountainous nation of Tibet.

(all links open in a separate window)

Step Into the Bible: 100 Family Devotions to Help Grow Your Child's Faith By Ruth Graham / Zondervan

Winner of the 2008 Christian Book Award and written by Ruth Graham, the daughter of today's most beloved evangelist, Billy Graham, this beautiful four-color family devotion with over 300 photographs retells 100 Bible stories and helps parents and children walk together on their faith journey. Each devotion takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and has been used by four generations of the Graham family.

	Step into the Bible: 100 Bible Stories for Family Devotions By Ruth Graham / Zonderkidz
Ruth Graham, daughter of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, has updated a classic collection of Bible stories used in her family for generations. Step Into the Bible will delight as it teaches the Word of God to children ages 10 and younger and provides a wonderful way for families to learn and grow together - for devotions or any time!

Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There, Devotional By Ruth Graham / Howard Books

Life is full of unexpected challenges, but God is with you every step of the way. The Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There Devotional offers 100 encouraging readings that will ground you in God's love and care. Each devotion includes a Scripture for meditation, insight from Ruth Graham and a personalized prayer based on that Scriptural lesson. By turning your thoughts to God, you'll find the strength you need to face tomorrow, whatever it brings.

	In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart, Hope For The Hurting By Ruth Graham with Stacy Mattingly / Zondervan
Do you sit in church every Sunday with a hurting heart? Billy Graham's daughter knows how you feel because she's been there. Candidly sharing about her tragic divorces, her teenage daughter's two pregnancies, the darkness of depression, and challenges of returning to college at 40, she offers hope as you walk the tumultuous journey of faith. 224 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

	Fear Not Tomorrow, God Is Already There: Trusting Him in Uncertain Times By Ruth-Graham / Howard Books
From the best-selling author of In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart comes a compassionate, confidence-boosting guide to tackling the fears we all face during times of change, uncertainty, and crisis. Learn why God can be trusted as our ultimate caretaker - even when we feel inadequate, outnumbered, overpowered, and overwhelmed! Includes discussion questions; hardcover.

	When Your Rope Breaks By Ruth Graham, Jerry Sittser & Joni Eareckson Tada / Zondervan
When difficult times come, it's easy to believe that you're alone. But God is with you, and wants to help you through. When Your Rope Breaks features excerpts by Ruth Graham, Jerry Sittser, and Joni Eareckson Tada. They've been to the bottom too, and offer you their words of hope and encouragement.

I'm Pregnant . . . Now What? Heartfelt Advice on Getting Through Unplanned Pregnancy By Ruth Graham / Gospel Light

Compassionate, practical help for navigating crisis pregnancy---from someone who's been there! In the wake of her own teen daughter's unplanned pregnancies, Ruth Graham shares her family's story and offers heartfelt encouragement to others. Includes expert, Christ-centered advice from a seasoned counselor, plus testimonies from pregnant teens, their family members, adoptive couples, and an adult adoptee. 200 pages, softcover from Regal.

The Lion of Judah: The Movie Storybook By Ruth Graham with Mae Archila / Carpenters Son Publishing

Read all about Jesus' sacrifice from a different point of view-through the eyes of a group of zany stable animals. Life suddenly changes for the stable animals when a little, white lamb named Judah is dropped off in the stable. When Judah and the stable rooster Drake are taken to Jerusalem to be sacrificed, the animals know that they must save them! Will the animals be able to save Judah and Drake, or will the King intervene? Written in simple, clear language, this book is sure to entertain children while giving them a different perspective on the Resurrection.

	Step into the Bible: 100 Family Devotions to Help Grow Your Child's Faith - eBook By Ruth Graham / Zonderkidz

	Step into the Bible: 100 Bible Stories for Family Devotions - eBook By Ruth Graham / Zonderkidz
eBook

59 more Ruth Graham products

---

return from Ruth Graham to Women Of God

Or Click On Their Link Below

Or choose from a list of over 100 biographies.