Ruth Carter Stapleton
Encyclopedia
Ruth Carter Stapleton was a sister of Jimmy Carter
and was known in her own right as a Christian
evangelist
. She died of pancreatic cancer
in 1983.
, the third of the four children in the family of James Earl Carter, Sr.
and Lillian Gordy Carter
.
Besides the former president, Stapleton had an older sister, Gloria
(1926-1990) and a younger brother, Billy
(1937-1988). All three of them died of pancreatic cancer
, along with their parents.
. Stapleton later earned her theological degree.
Stapleton married Robert Thome Stapleton, a successful veterinarian
, in 1948 and had four children: Gloria Lynn (born 1950), Sydney Scott (born 1951), Patricia Gordy (born 1954) and Robert Michael (born 1958). Stapleton suffered from chronic depression and a car wreck which nearly cost her her life during the time immediately following the birth of her children. Stapleton also complained of being "worthless", which motivated her to continue her education and pursue a career outside the home.
In 1977, she became friends with pornographer Larry Flynt
and managed to briefly convert him to Christianity. She was portrayed during this portion of Flynt's life by Donna Hanover
in the film The People vs. Larry Flynt
. In the film Times of Harvey Milk, it is mentioned that Stapleton offered to try to convert Harvey Milk
, the first openly-gay elected public official, to heterosexuality
if he accepted Jesus
as his savior (Milk was Jewish).
Stapleton was also known for her involvement in the healing ministry, especially in healing of memories. Her books, The Gift of Inner Healing, The Experience of Inner Healing and In His Footsteps: The Healing Ministry of Jesus, Then and Now, illustrate her beliefs on inner healing, which involved healing of memories, in which a person would go over their memories and bring Jesus into the memory to help them forgive, or be comforted as required by Jesus. Not all people were in favour of her ministry, regarding it as akin to witchcraft. For many years though, she spoke at many churches over her experiences and led inner healing workshops.
Although she was a Southern Baptist, she spoke in tongues.
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
and was known in her own right as a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
. She died of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
in 1983.
Early life
Ruth Carter was born August 7, 1929, in Plains, GeorgiaPlains, Georgia
Plains is a city in Sumter County, Georgia, United States. The population was 776 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Americus Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Notable people:...
, the third of the four children in the family of James Earl Carter, Sr.
James Earl Carter, Sr.
James Earl Carter, Sr. was a Georgia businessman, farmer, and legislator from Plains, Georgia. He was the father of former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, William Alton "Billy" Carter , Gloria Carter Spann , and Ruth Carter Stapleton .After attending Riverside Military Academy...
and Lillian Gordy Carter
Lillian Gordy Carter
Lillian Gordy Carter was the mother of former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. She is also known for contribution to nursing in her home state of Georgia and as a Peace Corps volunteer in India as well as writing two books during the Carter presidency.-Nurse and mother:Carter was born...
.
Besides the former president, Stapleton had an older sister, Gloria
Gloria Carter Spann
Gloria Carter Spann was the sister of former United States President Jimmy Carter.-Early years:Gloria Carter was the second of four children born to James Earl Carter, Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter and was 24 months younger than her brother, Jimmy...
(1926-1990) and a younger brother, Billy
Billy Carter
William Alton "Billy" Carter III was an American businessman who promoted Billy Beer, was a candidate for Mayor of Plains, Georgia, and was the younger brother of United States President Jimmy Carter.-Early years:...
(1937-1988). All three of them died of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
, along with their parents.
Education, career, and family
Stapleton earned her Bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. Stapleton later earned her theological degree.
Stapleton married Robert Thome Stapleton, a successful veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
, in 1948 and had four children: Gloria Lynn (born 1950), Sydney Scott (born 1951), Patricia Gordy (born 1954) and Robert Michael (born 1958). Stapleton suffered from chronic depression and a car wreck which nearly cost her her life during the time immediately following the birth of her children. Stapleton also complained of being "worthless", which motivated her to continue her education and pursue a career outside the home.
In 1977, she became friends with pornographer Larry Flynt
Larry Flynt
Larry Claxton Flynt, Jr. is an American publisher and the president of Larry Flynt Publications . In 2003, Arena magazine listed him as the number one on the "50 Powerful People in Porn" list....
and managed to briefly convert him to Christianity. She was portrayed during this portion of Flynt's life by Donna Hanover
Donna Hanover
Donna Hanover is an American journalist, radio and television personality, television producer, and actress, who appears on WOR radio in New York City and the Food Network. From 1994 through 2001 she was First Lady of New York City, as the then-wife of Rudy Giuliani...
in the film The People vs. Larry Flynt
The People vs. Larry Flynt
The People vs. Larry Flynt is a 1996 American biographical drama film directed by Miloš Forman about the rise of pornographic magazine publisher and editor Larry Flynt, and his subsequent clash with the law. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, and Edward Norton.The film was written by...
. In the film Times of Harvey Milk, it is mentioned that Stapleton offered to try to convert Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk
Harvey Bernard Milk was an American politician who became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors...
, the first openly-gay elected public official, to heterosexuality
Heterosexuality
Heterosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, physical or romantic attractions to persons of the opposite sex";...
if he accepted Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
as his savior (Milk was Jewish).
Stapleton was also known for her involvement in the healing ministry, especially in healing of memories. Her books, The Gift of Inner Healing, The Experience of Inner Healing and In His Footsteps: The Healing Ministry of Jesus, Then and Now, illustrate her beliefs on inner healing, which involved healing of memories, in which a person would go over their memories and bring Jesus into the memory to help them forgive, or be comforted as required by Jesus. Not all people were in favour of her ministry, regarding it as akin to witchcraft. For many years though, she spoke at many churches over her experiences and led inner healing workshops.
Although she was a Southern Baptist, she spoke in tongues.
Sources
- http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2735
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9804E4D91038F937A25756C0A965948260
- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955249,00.html?promoid=googlep