As a college student, Maury Scobee couldn’t imagine committing his life to working for just one person. Yet, God called him to do just that for the next 40 years, serving as personal assistant for the late evangelist Billy Graham.
Throughout the decades, Scobee spent countless hours with Mr. Graham, attending over 80 Crusades around the world and regularly finding a seat in the kitchen of the Grahams’ log cabin-style house nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He’d do whatever needed to be done, whether it was helping gather items before a Crusade, watching the grandkids or taking care of Mr. Graham during his last years of life.
“You know, you consider it a great joy in your heart that the Lord called you to be such a great part of behind-the-scenescapacity for someone so great as Mr. Graham,” Scobee said.
He not only loved Mr. Graham and his wife, Ruth, personally, but also appreciates how the evangelist stayed focused and driven “to continue to do what God’s will was for his life.”
After Mr. Graham’s passing in February, Franklin Graham asked Scobee to move from his home in Black Mountain, North Carolina, to Charlotte, North Carolina, to work at the Billy Graham Library, which is on the grounds where Mr. and Mrs. Graham are buried.
“Mother and Daddy are down here now,” Franklin told Scobee. “They’re gonna be glad to know that you’re down here with them.”
Since June, 70-year-old Scobee has been working as a ministry ambassador at the Library, constantly reminded of his history with the Grahams.
Since Mr. Graham’s passing, Scobee has been involved in a few speaking engagements, including at the Billy Graham Training Center
From Friendship to Future
During his 20s, Scobee attended LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, switching majors from engineering to business, unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. He eventually got involved in the hotel industry full-time but continued his schooling. During his fifth year, Franklin Graham started attending his school.
Although the two men crossed paths several times a week, Scobee didn’t meet Franklin until his last five minutes on campus at the end of the year. While Scobee was grabbing his mail before heading home, a voice said, “Wait! Aren’t you Maury Scobee?” Scobee turned and realized it was Franklin Graham, who continued, “I certainly hope we can become friends. I’ll be back this fall.”
Franklin later returned to school and would sometimes stop by hotels where Scobee was working or they’d go get pizza. Scobee recognized God had brought the friendship together but didn’t know He would align his future career through it.
