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Ruth Graham in coma
Evangelist says ‘soul mate’ near death
MONTREAT  For decades, Ruth Bell Graham has been a spiritual rock and best friend to her famous evangelist husband, the Rev. Billy Graham.
On Wednesday, Billy Graham had to announce that his “soul mate†is nearing death and that the couple will be buried at the recently dedicated Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.
“We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to heaven,†Graham said Wednesday in his statement. “Ruth is my soul mate and best friend, and I cannot imagine living a single day without her by my side. I am more in love with her today than when we first met over 65 years ago as students at Wheaton College.â€Â
Ruth Graham, 87, battled pneumonia two weeks ago and rallied, but on Wednesday morning she slipped into a coma, said Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross. She has been in declining health for a decade and bedridden since Thanksgiving.
The five Graham children traveled to Montreat to be with their mother.
Glenn W. Wilcox Sr., a family friend of the Grahams since 1965, said death would simply be a passage to eternal life for Ruth Graham, a devout Christian who often helped her husband with his sermons.
“I think it’s the greatest gift that God can give her,†Wilcox said. “When she gets to heaven  and she’s going  he will welcome her with open arms.â€Â
Regarding the decision to be buried in Billy Graham’s hometown of Charlotte and not Montreat, Wilcox said they “couldn’t have picked a better place. That library is going to be a witness to Jesus for a long, long time.â€Â
At the dedication of the $27 million library on May 31, Billy Graham, 88, said Ruth could not get out of bed and had to be turned by nurses several times a day. He visits and prays with her several times a day.
On Wednesday, Graham said he and his family have received “prayers and letters of encouragement†from across the country and the world.
“Our entire family has been home in recent days, and it has meant so much to have them at our side during this time,†he said. “We love each one of them dearly and thank God for them.â€Â
Ruth Bell Graham
Age: 87.
Family: Husband, the Rev. Billy Graham, and their five children: Gigi Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, Ruth Graham, Franklin Graham and Ned Graham.
Parents: L. Nelson Bell (deceased 1973) and Virginia Leftwich Bell (deceased 1974).
Education: High school, Korea (Pyongyang). Wheaton College, 1943, Wheaton, Ill.
Accomplishments/Recognitions: Author of numerous books, Graham was involved in many charitable causes and with her husband received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996.
Ruth Graham timeline
June 10, 1920 – Born in Qingjiang, Kiangsu, China.
1943 – Graduates from Wheaton College; marries Billy Graham on Aug. 13.
1945 - Gigi Graham born.
1948 - Anne Graham Lotz born.
1950 - Ruth Graham born.
1952 - Franklin Graham born.
1958 - Ned Graham born.
1959 – Publishes “Our Christmas Story.â€Â
1977 – Publishes “Sitting by My Laughing Fire.â€Â
1982 – Publishes “It’s My Turn.â€Â
1989 – Publishes “The Legacy of a Pack Rat.â€Â
1991 – Publishes “Prodigals and Those Who Love Them.â€Â
1992 – Publishes “Clouds Are the Dust of His Feet.â€Â
1994 – Publishes “One Wintry Night.â€Â
1996 – Ruth and Billy Graham receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
March 1996 - Ruth hospitalized with bacterial spinal meningitis
1997 – Publishes “Coffee and Conversation with Ruth Bell Graham and Gigi Graham Tchividjian.†Also publishes “Collected Poems.â€Â
1998 – Publishes “Mothers Together†(co-authored with daughter Gigi Graham).
1999 – Publishes “Prayers From A Mother’s Heart.â€Â
January 2000 – Graham undergoes hip replacement surgery.
2000 – 80th birthday gala for Graham held at Grove Park Inn.
2001 – Publishes ââ“Never Let It End: Poems of a Lifelong Love,†“Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham,†and “A Quiet Knowing†(co-authored with her daughter Gigi Graham).
August 2002 – Graham hospitalized with pneumonia.
2005 – Grahams loan a second home in Montreat to Hurricane Katrina survivors.
June 13, 2007 - Graham slips into coma.
http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 0770613123
Evangelist says ‘soul mate’ near death
MONTREAT  For decades, Ruth Bell Graham has been a spiritual rock and best friend to her famous evangelist husband, the Rev. Billy Graham.
On Wednesday, Billy Graham had to announce that his “soul mate†is nearing death and that the couple will be buried at the recently dedicated Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.
“We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to heaven,†Graham said Wednesday in his statement. “Ruth is my soul mate and best friend, and I cannot imagine living a single day without her by my side. I am more in love with her today than when we first met over 65 years ago as students at Wheaton College.â€Â
Ruth Graham, 87, battled pneumonia two weeks ago and rallied, but on Wednesday morning she slipped into a coma, said Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross. She has been in declining health for a decade and bedridden since Thanksgiving.
The five Graham children traveled to Montreat to be with their mother.
Glenn W. Wilcox Sr., a family friend of the Grahams since 1965, said death would simply be a passage to eternal life for Ruth Graham, a devout Christian who often helped her husband with his sermons.
“I think it’s the greatest gift that God can give her,†Wilcox said. “When she gets to heaven  and she’s going  he will welcome her with open arms.â€Â
Regarding the decision to be buried in Billy Graham’s hometown of Charlotte and not Montreat, Wilcox said they “couldn’t have picked a better place. That library is going to be a witness to Jesus for a long, long time.â€Â
At the dedication of the $27 million library on May 31, Billy Graham, 88, said Ruth could not get out of bed and had to be turned by nurses several times a day. He visits and prays with her several times a day.
On Wednesday, Graham said he and his family have received “prayers and letters of encouragement†from across the country and the world.
“Our entire family has been home in recent days, and it has meant so much to have them at our side during this time,†he said. “We love each one of them dearly and thank God for them.â€Â
Ruth Bell Graham
Age: 87.
Family: Husband, the Rev. Billy Graham, and their five children: Gigi Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, Ruth Graham, Franklin Graham and Ned Graham.
Parents: L. Nelson Bell (deceased 1973) and Virginia Leftwich Bell (deceased 1974).
Education: High school, Korea (Pyongyang). Wheaton College, 1943, Wheaton, Ill.
Accomplishments/Recognitions: Author of numerous books, Graham was involved in many charitable causes and with her husband received the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996.
Ruth Graham timeline
June 10, 1920 – Born in Qingjiang, Kiangsu, China.
1943 – Graduates from Wheaton College; marries Billy Graham on Aug. 13.
1945 - Gigi Graham born.
1948 - Anne Graham Lotz born.
1950 - Ruth Graham born.
1952 - Franklin Graham born.
1958 - Ned Graham born.
1959 – Publishes “Our Christmas Story.â€Â
1977 – Publishes “Sitting by My Laughing Fire.â€Â
1982 – Publishes “It’s My Turn.â€Â
1989 – Publishes “The Legacy of a Pack Rat.â€Â
1991 – Publishes “Prodigals and Those Who Love Them.â€Â
1992 – Publishes “Clouds Are the Dust of His Feet.â€Â
1994 – Publishes “One Wintry Night.â€Â
1996 – Ruth and Billy Graham receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
March 1996 - Ruth hospitalized with bacterial spinal meningitis
1997 – Publishes “Coffee and Conversation with Ruth Bell Graham and Gigi Graham Tchividjian.†Also publishes “Collected Poems.â€Â
1998 – Publishes “Mothers Together†(co-authored with daughter Gigi Graham).
1999 – Publishes “Prayers From A Mother’s Heart.â€Â
January 2000 – Graham undergoes hip replacement surgery.
2000 – 80th birthday gala for Graham held at Grove Park Inn.
2001 – Publishes ââ“Never Let It End: Poems of a Lifelong Love,†“Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham,†and “A Quiet Knowing†(co-authored with her daughter Gigi Graham).
August 2002 – Graham hospitalized with pneumonia.
2005 – Grahams loan a second home in Montreat to Hurricane Katrina survivors.
June 13, 2007 - Graham slips into coma.
http://citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 0770613123
