Billy Graham’s sons in conflict about their parents’ graves.
Franklin wants them buried as the last stop on the tour of a memorial library that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is building in Charlotte. A tour that begins with a greeting from an animatronic cow.
Ruth Graham, bedridden and very weak, but apparently still fairly lucid, adamantly wants to be buried in a place she created near Asheville – the "Cove" – a retreat spot for workers in evangelism and missions. She most adamantly, it seems, does not want to be buried in Charlotte. Their son Ned is her advocate in the matter.
And that leaves Billy Graham to make the decision – a very melancholy situation.
Billy Graham sits next to Ruth’s hospital bed for long periods, stroking her arms and her face.
Ned knows that his father hates conflict, which is one reason his dad has stayed away in recent years from the political battles of religious conservatives. But this is one dispute Billy Graham can’t avoid.
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."