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Jimmy Carter will lead presidents and first ladies in mourning and celebrating Rosalynn Carter

by Michael Nguyen
6 comments
Rosalynn Carter tribute

Rosalynn Carter will be honored on Tuesday with a tribute service filled with classical music, cherished hymns, passages from her beloved Bible, and a remarkable gathering of all living U.S. first ladies and several presidents, including her 99-year-old husband, Jimmy Carter.

The tribute service, taking place at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta, marks the second day of a three-day series of public events dedicated to celebrating the life of the former first lady and global humanitarian. Rosalynn Carter passed away on November 19 at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96. The tributes commenced on Monday in Sumter County, where the Carters hail from, and continued in Atlanta, where Rosalynn lay in repose at The Jimmy Carter Presidential Center.

Among the distinguished dignitaries attending the event are President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, close friends of the Carters. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as former first ladies Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush, will also pay their respects. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and his wife Marty Kemp are among the attendees. Although former Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush were invited, they have chosen not to attend.

Jimmy Carter’s participation in these events was uncertain until recently due to his health. He has been under home hospice care for ten months. The Carter Center has confirmed his plans to attend the Tuesday service, marking his first public appearance since September. Jimmy Carter did not make a public appearance during the motorcade procession and wreath-laying ceremony at Rosalynn Carter’s alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, on Monday, where he was present privately.

The Carters, who married in 1946, hold the record for the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history, with over 77 years of marriage. Jason Carter, a former state senator and one-time Democratic nominee for governor, described his grandmother as a significant political force in her own right. Rosalynn Carter dedicated five decades to advocating for improved mental health care in the United States and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. She also drew attention to the millions of unpaid caregivers in American households. Her role in supporting her husband’s political career, including his terms as Georgia’s governor and the 39th president, has gained widespread recognition.

Jason Carter noted that Rosalynn was considered “the best politician in the family,” a sentiment his grandfather, Jimmy Carter, never disputed. The Carters never fully integrated into Washington power circles, even after their White House tenure. They remained somewhat on the fringes of the unofficial “Presidents Club,” a group of former White House occupants who often come together for inaugurations and funerals.

President Biden, who plans to deliver the eulogy at Jimmy Carter’s state funeral in the future, has been a close ally of the Carters since their time in the Oval Office. However, Jimmy Carter faced a cool reception from some of his Democratic successors, Clinton and Obama, possibly due to his perceived political failure. Rosalynn Carter was reportedly unhappy with this treatment.

The Carters’ relationship with former President Trump was complex. Jimmy Carter supported Trump’s willingness to engage with North Korea but suggested that Trump’s election in 2016 was illegitimate. Trump, in turn, criticized Carter as “the worst” of all U.S. presidents, a charge he later modified while campaigning for the 2024 Republican nomination.

Trump’s absence at the Tuesday event will avoid any potential awkward encounters with the Carters or President Biden, as both appear headed for a rematch in the 2020 general election. Melania Trump’s presence will be a rare public appearance, as she has mostly remained absent from her husband’s political activities.

The Carters forged a close friendship with their 1976 opponents, Gerald and Betty Ford, after the campaign. Jimmy Carter maintained a mostly strong relationship with President George H. W. Bush, another Republican. Sadly, the Carters outlived not only the Fords but also the elder Bush and Barbara Bush.

Jimmy Carter holds the distinction of being the longest-lived president, while Rosalynn Carter was the second-longest-lived first lady, surpassed only by Bess Truman.

The Tuesday service will feature music performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, as well as contributions from country music legends Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who are friends of the Carters through their work with Habitat for Humanity. Family members will read passages from the Bible, and the service will include speeches by the Carters’ personal pastor, Tony Lowden; Kathryn Cade, a former White House adviser; and journalist Judy Woodruff.

Rosalynn Carter’s funeral will take place on Wednesday in Plains, featuring an invitation-only service at Maranatha Baptist Church, the Carters’ place of worship since their return to Georgia after Jimmy Carter’s presidency. She will be laid to rest in a private graveside service on a plot they will share, offering a view from the front porch of the home they built before Jimmy Carter’s first political campaign in 1962.

(Note: The text has been paraphrased and expanded for clarity and detail while maintaining a formal and serious tone.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rosalynn Carter tribute

What is the purpose of the tribute service for Rosalynn Carter?

The tribute service is a solemn gathering to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady and global humanitarian.

Where is the tribute service taking place?

The tribute service is being held at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta.

Who is attending the tribute service?

The service is attended by a distinguished guest list, including all living U.S. first ladies, multiple presidents, and dignitaries such as President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and many others.

Why was former President Jimmy Carter’s participation uncertain?

Jimmy Carter’s participation was uncertain due to his health; he has been under home hospice care for ten months. However, the Carter Center confirmed his plans to attend the Tuesday service.

What notable achievements is Rosalynn Carter being praised for?

Rosalynn Carter is being praised for her advocacy for better mental health care in the U.S., reducing the stigma around mental illness, and drawing attention to unpaid caregivers. She is also recognized for her significant role in her husband’s political career.

How long were Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter married?

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for over 77 years, making them the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history.

Why did some of Jimmy Carter’s Democratic successors give him a cool reception?

Some Democratic successors, such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, reportedly gave Jimmy Carter a cool reception, possibly due to his perceived political failure. Rosalynn Carter was said to be unhappy with this treatment.

Who were the Carters’ 1976 opponents, and how did their relationship evolve?

The Carters’ opponents in the 1976 election were Gerald and Betty Ford. Their relationship evolved into a close friendship after the campaign.

What is the significance of Jimmy Carter’s and Rosalynn Carter’s longevity records?

Jimmy Carter is the longest-lived U.S. president, and Rosalynn Carter was the second-longest-lived first lady, with only Bess Truman surpassing her in longevity.

What can we expect at the tribute service?

The tribute service will feature music from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, speeches from dignitaries and family members, and contributions from country music legends Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who are friends of the Carters through their work with Habitat for Humanity. It will also include readings from the Bible.

When and where will Rosalynn Carter’s funeral take place?

Rosalynn Carter’s funeral will occur in Plains, Georgia, with an invitation-only service at Maranatha Baptist Church, followed by a private graveside service on a plot shared by the Carters. This plot is visible from the home they built before Jimmy Carter’s first political campaign in 1962.

More about Rosalynn Carter tribute

  • [Rosalynn Carter Tribute Service](Link to the relevant news article)
  • [Glenn Memorial Church](Link to Glenn Memorial Church’s website)
  • [President Joe Biden](Link to President Joe Biden’s official page)
  • [Former President Bill Clinton](Link to Bill Clinton’s official page)
  • [Jimmy Carter’s Health](Link to information about Jimmy Carter’s health)
  • [Rosalynn Carter’s Advocacy](Link to information about Rosalynn Carter’s advocacy work)
  • [Longest-Married Presidential Couple](Link to a source about the Carters’ record as the longest-married presidential couple)
  • [Relationship with Democratic Successors](Link to an article about Jimmy Carter’s relationship with Democratic successors)
  • [Relationship with Gerald and Betty Ford](Link to an article about the Carters’ relationship with the Fords)
  • [Jimmy Carter’s Longevity](Link to information about Jimmy Carter’s longevity)
  • [Rosalynn Carter’s Longevity](Link to information about Rosalynn Carter’s longevity)
  • [Tribute Service Details](Link to a source with details about the tribute service)

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6 comments

HistoryLover November 28, 2023 - 9:44 pm

Carter’s long married life impressive, longer than any prez couple. curious abt rel with fords n other prez.

Reply
InfoBuff November 29, 2023 - 12:56 am

Rosalynn carter did lots of gud stuff, mental health care important! jason carter spoke well, best politician in fam.

Reply
SadNews November 29, 2023 - 2:39 am

sad that jimmy carter’s health not gud, but glad he attending. will be touching service.

Reply
EventWatcher November 29, 2023 - 4:22 am

tribute service with garth brooks music, interesting mix. curious abt rosalynn’s funeral in plains.

Reply
JournalistExpert November 29, 2023 - 12:53 pm

wow, dis tribute service sounds like big event! so many presidentss n first ladies coming. wonder if jimmy carter wil b strong enuff to attend.

Reply
GrammarNazi November 29, 2023 - 1:37 pm

Why so many missing punctuations, like periods? It’s hard 2 read w/o proper grammar. Need more clarity!

Reply

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