In a statement released today by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Billy and Ruth Graham have announced they will both be buried at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.
In December, The Washington Post published a very interesting article telling of the struggle between Franklin Graham and his parents.
According to the December story, Franklin, the new head of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and Samaritan’s Purse, is hoping both of his parents choose to be buried at the new Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.
At the time of the article, his mother, Ruth, wished to be buried in the mountains, 100 miles from Charlotte, at The Cove, a retreat the BGEA built in 1984 for pastors and their wives.
Nestled in forests of poplar, locust and Southern pine, invisible from the highway except for a single gray steeple, the 1,500-acre Cove was Ruth’s project from its beginning in 1984. She believed that people working hard for Christ, in whatever capacity, needed a place where they could idle in a rocking chair, stare at the mountains, and find new energy to continue their work. Her husband and his board agreed, setting up the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.
Ruth worked closely with architects and construction engineers on the classrooms, auditorium and guest accommodations. A small library was established and as years went by, books given to Billy, inscribed by the world leaders who wrote them, found their way there. Glass cabinets today display some of the thousands of gifts he acquired: a Ten Commandments tablet from movie producer Cecil B. DeMille, a letter opener from German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and porcelain and silver from visits to China, North Korea and Russia.
Author Patricia Cornwell met with the Graham’s and tried to dissuade the Graham’s from changing their mind about The Cove.
As Cornwell ends her short speech to Billy that November evening, Billy says, “I sure appreciate what you say, and I have no comment. I’ve heard all this before.”
Cornwell is not dissuaded.
“I tell you, if you’re buried there I’ll dig you up and move you here,” she says.
Ruth chuckles from her bed. “I’ll be one of the pallbearers,” she says.
At the sound of Ruth’s voice, Billy’s face softens toward Cornwell, as he says, “I’ll just think and pray about what you’ve said.”
Here’s the statement released from the Graham’s today:
Press Releases
Billy Graham Statement on Selection of Burial SiteMONTREAT, N.C., June 13, 2007 — “Earlier this spring, after much prayer and discussion, Ruth and I made the decision to be buried beside each other at the Billy Graham Library in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to Heaven.
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.
Ruth and I appreciate, more than we can express, the prayers and letters of encouragement we have received from people across the country and around 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. We love each one of them dearly and thank God for them.â€
Hat tip to the DMN for the heads up
