Earlier this morning, our time, the funeral of Ruth Bell Graham was held, beloved wife of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham. She died on Thursday at her home in North Carolina, aged 87, surrounded by her husband and five children. Billy and Ruth had earlier agreed that they would be buried side-by-side on the grounds of the recently dedicated Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. She was buried in the Library’s Prayer Garden—a fitting resting place for this woman of faith.

Ruth Bell was born in China, in 1920, to medical missionaries. She attended high school in Pyongyang, (now North) Korea, and first visited the United States at the age of 7 while her parents were on furlough. She returned to the US at the age of 17 to attend Wheaton College, where she soon met the man students nicknamed “Preacher”—the strapping Billy Graham from Charlotte, North Carolina. Billy and Ruth were married in August 1943, and had five children, whom Ruth raised—sometimes single-handedly—while her husband was away on his national and international evangelistic trips.

Without Ruth, Billy Graham would not have become the touring figure of Christianity he became. Ruth helped him prepare his talks, often editing them for strength and correctness. She encouraged Billy to visit the People’s Republic of China and later accompanied him during his historic visits there. It was Ruth that came up with the name for Billy Graham’s still running radio program, The Hour of Decision.

Ruth had been in frail health since suffering spinal meningitis in 1995. This was on top of a degenerative back condition she’d suffered since 1974 that resulted in chronic back pain for many years. Bedridden or wheelchair-bound since the late 1990s, Ruth wasn’t able to accompany her husband during his last years of ministry, but was always a continued source of inspiration and support for him through her prayers and wise biblical counsel.

Ruth Bell is survived by her husband Billy; daughters, Virginia, Anne, and Ruth; sons Franklin, and Nelson; 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Final words should go to Billy Graham who at his beloved wife’s passing said, “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.”