News
Unsolved 1963 Murder of Christian College Professor Remembered
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The authors’ storytelling approach draws readers into the life of the English teacher through previously unpublished anecdotes.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
- Over three million homes across battleground states have received visits from pro-life volunteers seeking to inform voters about abortion policy.
- Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is mobilizing grassroots supporters to protect unborn life at both state and federal levels.
- Faith-driven activism is shaping the midterm conversation on protecting the sanctity of human life.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has announced that its volunteers have completed more than three million home visits in key battleground states. The effort comes as voters prepare to cast ballots that could determine the direction of abortion policy nationwide.
These visits are part of a broader push to engage citizens directly on the sanctity of life. Organizers say the conversations are centered on protecting the unborn and restoring a culture that values every human life from conception.
“We are reaching voters where they live because the lives of unborn children depend on it,”
Local volunteers have reported strong interest from families who are grateful for the information and encouragement. Many households have expressed concern over recent court rulings and legislative efforts that continue to threaten the unborn.
The organization believes that personal, face-to-face outreach remains one of the most effective ways to build lasting support for pro-life policies. As the midterms approach, these efforts are intensifying in states where abortion-related measures may appear on ballots.
“Every visit plants a seed of truth that can grow into a vote for life,”
With millions of homes already contacted, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America plans to expand its reach in the final weeks before Election Day. The group is urging Christians and others who value traditional family principles to stay engaged and vote their convictions.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Scripture teaches believers to submit to governing authorities as established by God for the good of society (Romans 13:1).
- Christian teaching calls for peaceful conduct and respect for lawful order even when disagreements arise.
- Faithful citizens are encouraged to pray for leaders and seek justice through orderly, lawful means.
Delhi Police detained the founder and two senior leaders of a youth protest movement aboard their plane Saturday, Oct. 10, as authorities shut dozens of metro stations, canceled more than 250 trains and deployed tens of thousands of officers to keep protesters away from the capital’s designated protest ground.
The decisive steps came amid a dispute over voter rolls that had prompted the group to call for large demonstrations in India’s capital.
By grounding flights, restricting rail travel and closing key transit points, officials signaled their determination to prevent disruptions in the heart of the nation.
Christian and conservative observers note that stable governance and the rule of law remain foundational to protecting families, communities and the freedoms that allow faith to flourish.
Supporters of the measures argue that safeguarding public safety and preventing unrest serve the common good.
Critics maintain the actions limit citizens’ ability to voice concerns over electoral integrity.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona.
- The university is establishing a new law school that integrates legal training with a Christian worldview.
- Phoenix attorney James L. Williams has been named the founding dean of the law school.
Grand Canyon University is advancing plans to open a law school that will train future attorneys in both legal excellence and a biblical foundation. The Phoenix-based Christian institution announced the appointment of local attorney James L. Williams as the school’s first dean.
The decision reflects a growing desire among Christian families and leaders for legal education that upholds traditional values rather than progressive ideologies. Williams will guide the development of curriculum and faculty that prioritize truth, integrity, and religious liberty.
“The university is moving ahead with a law school that it says will combine legal training with a Christian worldview.”
Supporters see this as a timely response to cultural shifts in the legal profession, where many institutions have distanced themselves from biblical morality. GCU’s initiative aims to equip students to defend constitutional freedoms and religious rights in the courtroom.
“The university named Phoenix attorney James L. Williams as the school’s first dean, according to a press release from GCU on Oct. 8.”
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
-
Self-Reliance2 years agoTrump’s Bold Move Uncovers Massive Social Security Fraud
-
Faith1 year agoNew Clues Emerge in Noah’s Ark Mystery
-
News2 years agoGovernor Walz’s Rhetoric Sparks National Controversy
-
News2 years agoMel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Sequel Title Announced
-
Family2 years agoTexas Lawmaker Targets Furries in Schools
-
Freedom2 years agoMaine Lawmaker Challenges Sports Fairness Controversy
-
Family1 year agoCanada’s Controversial Policy Sparks Ethical Debate
-
Faith11 months ago
Congress Hears Pleas for Nigerian Christians