Billy Graham Siblings: A Look at the Evangelist’s Family Tree

Billy Graham, born William Franklin Graham Jr. on November 7, 1918, near Charlotte, North Carolina, was one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century.

Raised on a family dairy farm, he grew up in a devout Presbyterian household that instilled in him a strong faith from an early age.

Graham’s life transformed during a revival meeting in 1934, leading him to pursue theological education at institutions like Florida Bible Institute and Wheaton College, where he met his future wife, Ruth Bell.

Ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1939, he rose to global prominence through his charismatic preaching, advocating for racial integration during a time of segregation and serving as a spiritual advisor to multiple U.S. presidents.

Over his six-decade career, Graham preached the Gospel to live audiences of more than 210 million people across over 185 countries and territories, emphasizing themes of salvation, repentance, and personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Siblings

Billy was the eldest of four children born to dairy farmers Frank and Morrow Coffey Graham in Charlotte, North Carolina.

His siblings included two younger sisters and one younger brother, all of whom shared a close-knit upbringing on the family farm, marked by hard work, faith, and family devotion.

The second child, Catherine Graham McElroy, was born after Billy and maintained a supportive role in the family; she passed away in 2006 at the age of 86.

Following her was Melvin Thomas Graham, the younger brother who often appeared in family photos and shared in the farm responsibilities; he remained connected to Billy throughout his life.

The youngest sibling, Jean Graham Ford, born in 1932 and 14 years Billy’s junior, had a particularly affectionate bond with her oldest brother, whom she called “Billy Frank.”

Jean viewed him almost as a second parent and sought his counsel on various matters; she was the last surviving sibling until her death on February 29, 2024, at age 91, after a stroke.

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 Career

Graham’s career began in the mid-1940s when he served as the first full-time evangelist for Youth for Christ, traveling across the U.S. and Europe to preach to young audiences in the post-World War II era.

His breakthrough came with the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, which extended from three weeks to eight due to overwhelming attendance and media attention, catapulting him to national fame.

This success led to international recognition through events like the 1954 London Crusade, which drew massive crowds over 12 weeks, and the 1957 New York Crusade, lasting 16 weeks and confirming his status as a leading Christian voice.

Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950 to organize his ministries, which included radio broadcasts like the “Hour of Decision” program that reached millions weekly from 1950 to 1954.

He authored over 30 books, starting with “Peace with God” in 1953, many of which became bestsellers and were translated into numerous languages.

Graham co-founded Christianity Today magazine in 1956 and Decision magazine in 1960, both still in publication.

His work extended to advising U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, and he played a role in global events, such as the 1974 International Congress on World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland, promoting cooperative evangelism.

Accolades

Graham topped the Gallup Poll’s list of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World” an unprecedented 61 times, more than any other individual, including 54 consecutive appearances, underscoring his enduring public esteem.

In 1996, he and his wife Ruth were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress, in recognition of their contributions to morality and spirituality.

Graham earned the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion in 1982 for his innovative approaches to evangelism.

Other notable awards include the Speaker of the Year Award in 1964 from the National Speakers Association and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award in 2000 for promoting liberty.

He held honorary doctorates from institutions like Baylor University, and in 2013, Carson-Newman University honored him as the “Evangelist of the 20th Century.”

Additionally, cities and organizations proclaimed “Billy Graham Day” in his honor, such as during his 1974 California Crusade, and he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999 for his influence on Christian music and broadcasting.