Faith Facts

• Ruby Lowery Stapleton, a Harding University English professor, was abducted from a laundromat in October 1963 and murdered, her body discovered 11 days later
• The case remains unsolved after 63 years, despite extensive investigation and media attention at the time
• Harding University honors Stapleton’s memory with two campus memorials and will rename the library Writing Center in her honor

SEARCY, ARK. — A new book brings renewed attention to one of Christian higher education’s most tragic unsolved mysteries. Deana Hamby Nall and Mike S. Allen have authored “The Abduction of Mrs. Ruby Lowery Stapleton,” a comprehensive account of the 1963 disappearance and murder of a beloved Harding University professor.

Stapleton vanished from a laundromat in October 1963. Her body was discovered 11 days later, and the case has remained unsolved for more than six decades.

The 264-page independently published work opens with a vivid description of central Arkansas’ autumn landscape, setting the scene for a story that continues to haunt the Christian university community. For current students, the geographical details evoke familiar places like Petit Jean State Park and Sugarloaf Mountain, locations that remain part of student life today.

The authors’ storytelling approach draws readers into the life of the English teacher through previously unpublished anecdotes. Two stories stand out: one recounting Ruby’s memories from Mother’s Day 1963, and another depicting her husband E.R. Stapleton during the 1942 cotton harvest.

The cotton harvest story reveals a lighthearted, competitive side of E.R.’s character that contrasts with his later portrayal during the investigation. Interview transcripts and witness statements in the book present him in a different light — as a suspect in his wife’s disappearance.

Nall and Allen provide meticulous research and extensive detail about the case. Their comprehensive timeline places Stapleton’s disappearance within the broader context of 1963 America, a year of tremendous upheaval and change.

Earlier that fall semester, Harding President George Benson announced the school would desegregate. This decision reflected the challenging times facing Christian institutions as they sought to align biblical principles with the changing social landscape.

Shortly after Stapleton’s body was found, the nation’s attention shifted dramatically. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, and as the authors document, both media coverage and federal law enforcement resources pivoted away from the Stapleton investigation toward the presidential assassination.

This tragic timing may have contributed to why Ruby Stapleton’s murder was never solved. The case went cold as national priorities changed, leaving a faithful Christian educator’s death without justice or closure.

Today, Harding University maintains two memorials honoring Stapleton on campus: a portrait on the second floor of Brackett Library and an engraved brick on the front lawn. In August, the university will rename the Writing Center inside the library to further honor her memory and commitment to teaching English and writing.

These memorials serve as reminders to current students of the dedicated Christian educators who came before them. They also represent an unsolved tragedy that touched the entire Church of Christ university community.

“The Abduction of Mrs. Ruby Lowery Stapleton” offers a factual, engaging presentation suitable for multiple audiences. True crime enthusiasts, those familiar with the case, and readers discovering Stapleton’s story for the first time will all gain thorough knowledge of this complex investigation.

The book demonstrates how one woman’s faithful service as a Christian educator was cut short by senseless violence. It also shows how a community of faith responded to tragedy and continues to honor her memory decades later.

For the Harding University community and the broader Churches of Christ fellowship, Ruby Stapleton’s story represents both loss and lasting impact. Her dedication to teaching and her faith continue to inspire, even as questions about her death remain unanswered.

The authors deserve commendation for their exhaustive research and respectful treatment of a sensitive subject. They have preserved an important piece of Christian higher education history while honoring the memory of a woman whose life was devoted to teaching and faith.

Kenzie James, a senior multimedia journalism major at Harding University who researched the Stapleton case for the student newspaper in 2025, praised the book’s depth and previously undiscovered details.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• Texas State Rep. James Talarico, now running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat, delivered a 2022 sermon containing multiple controversial theological claims that have resurfaced and drawn criticism from Christian conservatives.
• The sermon includes statements reinterpreting core Biblical doctrines in ways that conflict with traditional Christian teaching and scriptural authority.
• The video has gone viral as voters examine the candidate’s theological positions and their alignment with Christian values ahead of the Senate race.

A 2022 sermon delivered by Texas State Representative James Talarico has resurfaced, sparking significant concern among Christian conservatives as the Democratic politician campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat. The video reveals several theological statements that diverge sharply from orthodox Christian doctrine and Biblical teaching.

Talarico, who has positioned himself as a person of faith on the campaign trail, made a series of claims during the sermon that challenge traditional Christian understanding of Scripture and the nature of Christ. The statements have raised questions about his theological grounding and how his beliefs might influence his policy positions.

The resurfaced sermon comes at a critical time as Texas voters evaluate candidates for the Senate race. For many Christian conservatives, a candidate’s theological integrity and adherence to Biblical truth are essential considerations in determining their fitness for office and their ability to represent traditional American values.

The video has circulated widely on social media, with many believers expressing alarm at the theological positions expressed. Christian leaders and voters are calling for greater scrutiny of candidates who claim faith credentials while advancing interpretations that contradict established Christian doctrine.

This development highlights the ongoing tension in American politics between those who hold to traditional Biblical Christianity and those who advocate for progressive reinterpretations of Scripture. For Christian conservatives, the authenticity of a candidate’s faith and their commitment to Biblical truth remain paramount concerns.

As the Senate race progresses, Talarico’s theological statements are likely to remain a focal point for voters who prioritize Christian values and scriptural fidelity in their elected representatives. The controversy underscores the importance of examining not just policy positions, but the foundational beliefs that shape a candidate’s worldview.

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Faith Facts

• Despite Haiti’s government collapse and gang violence, Christians reported 149 new believers and three new Churches of Christ in just three months
• Nearly 1,000 Christian women gathered in Nicaragua for a national fellowship event organized entirely through grassroots fundraising over one year
• In Kenya, 41 people were baptized in a single day after studying through World Bible School correspondence ministry

Across the globe, Christian communities are experiencing remarkable growth even in the face of persecution, poverty, and political instability. From the gang-torn streets of Haiti to the casino capital of Macau, believers are finding creative ways to share the Gospel and strengthen their faith.

In Haiti, where the government has collapsed and gang violence has torn the nation apart, the church continues its steady march forward. The International School of Theology, meeting near Port-au-Prince, reported extraordinary results during the first quarter of 2026.

One hundred forty-nine new believers were baptized, and three new Churches of Christ were established. Many congregations now meet in small groups as a safety precaution, church members said. The perseverance of these faithful Christians demonstrates that the Gospel cannot be stopped by earthly chaos.

In Kenya, the power of patient evangelism bore visible fruit. Daniel Gaines, director of Tanzanian Missions, shared a powerful photograph showing 41 people waiting in line to be baptized in a pond in the village of Bunjosi in western Kenya. The World Bible School correspondence ministry played a crucial role in these conversions, proving that simple, faithful teaching methods remain effective in reaching souls.

The small island nation of Bermuda presents a different challenge entirely. Missionary Larry Waymire explained the unique obstacle facing evangelists there.

“Because Bermuda is a wealthy island, many feel they do not need God,” Waymire said. “Students at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Bermuda are reaching out to show the importance of trusting God’s Word rather than the word of man, man-made religions or the riches of this world.”

The school recently completed its first year with 16 students. Despite the demanding schedule—classes for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and four hours on Saturdays—the commitment remains strong.

“Most of the students work full-time jobs and have families,” Waymire said, “yet they and their families make the sacrifice to attend class.”

The school’s director, Keithlyn Fleming, serves as an elder of the Brighton Hill Church of Christ in Devonshire. Fleming works two jobs in addition to his church and school duties, exemplifying the kind of dedication that builds lasting ministries.

“Pray for our students as they continue preparing to bring lost souls to Christ,” Waymire said. “It may be your prayer that opens the next door to a searching heart.”

In Macau, a special administrative region of China known as the gambling capital of the world, Filipino immigrants have established a thriving Church of Christ. The casino industry there is several times larger than Las Vegas, yet in the midst of this spiritual desert, believers gather regularly for worship services and singing practices. The congregation recently welcomed ministry interns from Heritage Bible School in Baguio City, Philippines.

Perhaps one of the most inspiring stories comes from Nicaragua, where nearly 1,000 Christian women gathered for the Church of Christ National Women’s Fellowship. The theme, “Women of Impact: Shining to Edify,” was based on Matthew 5:14-16. Josefina Sánchez of the León Church of Christ in Managua served as keynote speaker.

The National Ladies’ Committee organized the event, with Gaby Medrano, a committee member from Masatepe, sharing details of the year-long effort.

The committee worked tirelessly for a year to raise funds, Medrano said, so that participants wouldn’t be asked for “a single córdoba (Nicaragua’s currency) in payment.”

“The Word of God was present from morning until late afternoon,” she added, “and God’s presence was palpable. I believe the event was a resounding success, evidenced by the fact that sisters traveled from every department (state) of the country to attend.”

An international women’s conference is scheduled for October in Nicaragua.

Even in war-torn Ukraine, the church continues to grow. More than 40 women attended “God’s Garden,” an event hosted by a Church of Christ in Kyiv twice each year. In addition to studying Scripture and participating in a talent show, attendees spent time “sharing life, supporting one another and just enjoying the day,” organizer Natalia Maliuga said.

Maliuga serves as administrative director for the Ukrainian Bible Institute. She reflected on the growth since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

“I am truly grateful to God for every sister, for every woman, who comes to our community in search of truth and meaning,” Maliuga said. “It’s especially valuable to realize that many of us met after 2022. Back then, in the spring, our hall was almost empty. And today we see the Lord blessing and growing our community.”

In Zambia, Bible college students are using their vacation breaks for ministry. Vincent Simwanza, a student at the Southern Africa Bible College in Benoni, South Africa, returned home during a recent break to care for his ailing mother. He also spoke at three churches—the Riverside Church of Christ in Livingstone and the Luanshya Central and Kamfinsa Churches of Christ in Zambia’s Copperbelt province.

The Kamfinsa congregation has a particularly encouraging story.

“The church had closed its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, with members dispersing and the building eventually being taken over by a denomination,” Simwanza said. “However, in 2024, by God’s grace, the building was reclaimed by the church. There are now two evangelists actively serving and ministering to the congregation.”

These reports from around the world demonstrate that faithful Christians are advancing the Kingdom regardless of circumstances. Whether facing wealth that breeds complacency, violence that threatens safety, or war that scatters congregations, believers continue to gather, teach, and baptize new converts.

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