Ruth Bell Graham.jpg  Ruth Bell Graham, wife of Billy Graham, died today at 4:05 PM EDT at her home surrounded by her husband and five children.  She was 87 years old.  She suffered a long and dibilitating illness that eventually ended her life.  Aside: See the video on tomorrow’s post regarding pain and suffering.

  Without Ruth Bell Graham there would not have been a Billy Graham.  Every message he preached… every book he wrote… every president he counseled was made possible by a godly wife and mother.  The children were raised to a great extent by their mother as Dr. Graham proclaimed the Gospel around the nation and world.

  God’s greatest gift to Billy Graham (After salvation) was his wife of many decades.  In fact, I would say that every minister of the Gospel knows quite well that they could not do what they do in ministry without the support, love, and prayers of their own wife.  I too know that very well.

  What follows is a quote from Dr. Graham from Fox NewsRuth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team. 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.”

  Our prayers are with Dr. Graham and their children Virginia “Gigi”, Anne, Ruth, Nelson Edman “Ned”, and Franklin.