c. 2007 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, has lapsed into a coma and appears near death, a family spokesman said Wednesday (June 13).

Her failing health came just as the evangelist and his wife revealed their decision to be buried together at the newly dedicated Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C.

“It appears she’s entering the final stages of life,” said A. Larry Ross, the Grahams’ spokesman.

Ross said Ruth Graham celebrated her 87th birthday on Sunday (June 10), was alert and was encouraged by the time with family, but she has declined since then.

“Two weeks ago she was treated for pneumonia and initially started to improve but, because of her weakened condition, her health began to decline rapidly and this morning she slipped into a coma,” Ross said.

He said the Grahams had planned to announce their burial decision after the library dedication “so they could better honor the Lord at the time of their death.”

Last December, The Washington Post reported on a family dispute about the Grahams’ burial site, with Billy Graham preferring the library and his wife wanting to be buried at The Cove, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s conference center in Asheville, N.C.

On Wednesday, Billy Graham said the couple had come to a decision.

“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,” Graham said in a statement. “We have held this decision privately and only decided to announce it now that she is close to going home to heaven.”

In his statement, Graham, 88, said he has appreciated the prayers for him and his wife.

“Ruth is my soul mate and best friend and I cannot imagine living a single day without her by my side,” he said. “I am more in love with her today than when we first met over 65 years ago as students at Wheaton College.”

Ross said the couple intends to be buried at the foot of a cross-shaped walkway in the library’s prayer garden.

The library is adjacent to the headquarters of the association, which is headed by the couple’s son, evangelist Franklin Graham.

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