Farewell to Ruth Graham

Mrs. Ruth Bell Graham, beloved wife of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham, died at 5:05 p.m. on June 14, 2007, at her home at Little Piney Cove in Montreat, N.C., surrounded by her husband and all five children. She was 87.

She was born in China, on June 10, 1920. Her parents were medical missionaries and as a young girl Ruth first sensed the great calling to abandon all for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the fall of 1937, she enrolled at Wheaton College and three years later was introduced to “Preacher,” the nickname other students gave the strapping Billy Graham from Charlotte, North Carolina.


In late April 1941 after much struggling in prayer, Ruth realized her life’s mission was to be bound up in Billy’s passion for evangelism. Shortly after their graduation from Wheaton, the two were married in Montreat on August 13, 1943.

Ruth 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.


To read more about this remarkable woman, click here