When Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency, he was hospitalized in California and turned away every phone call. Evangelist Billy Graham couldn’t even reach him for prayer.
But his wife, Ruth Graham, got to him.
At her bidding, a biplane circled Nixon’s hospital for several hours with a message of encouragement in tow on a banner.
"Her compassion spilled far beyond her town," said Tom Bowers, a member of the Graham extended family. "Through the years many people across the country affected by crisis or tragedy — some world famous and others unknown — were encouraged by her phone calls, personal notes and creative messages of comfort."
When Ruth Graham passed away June 14 at age 87, Christians lost a "spiritual giant," though her impact will never be forgotten, Southern Baptist leaders say.
Morris H. Chapman, chairman of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee, said her love for her husband and children "inspired several generations of Christian wives and mothers."
"She was indeed a consummate servant of Christ," Chapman said. "Her grace, humility, dignity and joy reflected her deep and abiding love for her Lord and Savior, which is certainly fitting, for now she has seen the Lord in the fullness of His glory and is able to praise and worship Him face to face."
Ruth Graham’s "deep commitment" to her husband and his ministry "helped make the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association a reality, which led to the salvation of millions around the world," he added.
The daughter of missionary parents in China, Ruth Graham was the woman behind "America’s Pastor," and her dedication to her five children while her husband was on the road preaching no doubt will be one of her greatest legacies.
The two married Aug. 13, 1943, launching a life-long ministry together. She authored or co-authored 14 books, many of them poetry. She provided the name for the radio ministry, "Hour of Decision," that was launched in 1950 and continues to this day. And as a product of Asia, she encouraged her husband to visit China and accompanied him on those historic trips.
"Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team," Billy Graham said. "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."
His wife was "the greatest influence" on his ministry, Billy Graham said. "Her life [was] ruled by the Bible more than anyone I have ever known."
She had a study desk where she kept Bible translations, concordances and resources. She studied the Scripture each morning, kept devotional readings close by throughout the day and kept a Bible open in the kitchen, usually to Proverbs.
According to son Franklin Graham, she had a keen and encouraging listening ear and helped her husband with his sermons often.
"What I will remember most is … the spirited woman who so influenced my life," Franklin Graham said. "She was a person of deep faith whose life from early childhood was committed to serving Jesus Christ.
"Much of what I am today and what I am able to do is because of my mother. She had a strong independent streak and spoke her mind, she had a compassionate heart and she lived life with a passion," he said.
Virginia Somerville, Ruth Graham’s younger sister, said Ruth was "always sensitive, even as a young girl."
"We lived in a compound (in China) surrounded by a brick wall, and on the other side of the brick wall were graves," Somerville said. "All of us grew up hearing mothers who would come out to the graves and weep for their children. I think this is partly what inspired Ruth to write about the hopelessness of people who died without Christ."
Karlene Shea, wife of Billy Graham’s longtime ministry partner George Beverly Shea, said Ruth Graham was "abounding in energy and excitement in serving the Lord."
"You sense that God knew her … and you’re inspired to go there," she said.
Ruth Graham was buried at the foot of a cross-shaped walkway on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C. At the end of the graveside service, Billy Graham took a red rose, kissed it and prayed silently for several minutes before placing it on the casket.
To view the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s tribute Web site to Ruth Graham, visit www.bgea.org. (BP, RNS, TAB)
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