Former President Jimmy Carter Dead at 100

As I delve into the extraordinary life of Jimmy Carter and his remarkable wife Rosalynn, I am deeply moved by their unwavering dedication to each other and service to others. Their lives serve as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.

The Carters’ journey together is a masterclass in partnership, with a focus on understanding, communication, and compromise that has kept their bond strong for over seven decades. Jimmy’s wisdom about maintaining peace and harmony in marriage rings true, as does Rosalynn’s emphasis on the importance of personal space within a relationship.

Their work with Habitat for Humanity is a shining example of their commitment to helping those less fortunate. Their tireless efforts to build affordable housing and offer no-interest mortgages have transformed countless lives, embodying the spirit of Jesus’ teachings they hold dear.

In their later years, their ability to adapt and continue serving others despite physical limitations is truly inspiring. The story of them accidentally knocking down their own bedroom wall during a home renovation in Plains is a humorous reminder that even heroes are human after all!

Jimmy’s reflection on the key to a long life – marrying the right spouse who takes care of you, engages with you, and keeps you interested in life – resonates deeply. It serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking fulfilling relationships and meaningful lives.

In jest, I can’t help but think that their secret to a happy marriage might just involve a healthy dose of tool-wielding and home renovation projects! After all, who needs romance when you can build a lifetime of memories together while constructing a beautiful home?

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old.

On December 29, he quietly departed from life at his residence in Plains, Georgia, with his loved ones and his charitable organization, The Carter Center, around him. According to a released statement.

The eldest American president ever, Carter, passed away just under three months following his 100th birthday, and over a year since the Carter Center announced that he had elected to receive palliative care at home surrounded by his loved ones, having experienced a sequence of brief hospital visits.

The Democratic leader is leaving behind four children: John William “Jack” Carter, James E. “Chip” Carter III, Donnel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter, and Amy Carter, as well as 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, he was preceded in death by his wife of over seven decades, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away at the age of 96 in November 2023.

Chip declared, as stated by the Carter Center, that my dad was more than just a hero to me; he was a beacon of hope and inspiration to all those who value peace, human rights, and selfless affection.

He went on to say, “My siblings and I have passed on our cherished beliefs about him to the global community. To us, the world feels like an extended family, thanks to how he united people. We’re grateful that you maintain his legacy by upholding these shared values.

Born in Georgia in 1924, Carter served as the 39th president. Prior to his presidency, he studied at Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He later graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946, as detailed by the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.

In the very same year, he tied the knot with Rosalynn, and together they managed Carter’s Warehouse – a seed and farm store situated in Georgia.

1962 marked the beginning of Carter’s significant journey in politics as he was elected to serve in the Georgia Senate. Subsequently, he ascended to the position of Governor of Georgia in 1971.

After a span of five years, he secured the position as President of the United States. During his tenure, he managed various international diplomatic endeavors, such as the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, and the SALT II agreement with the Soviet Union.

In simpler terms, during his inaugural address, he emphasized that ‘more’ isn’t always ‘better’. He pointed out that even powerful nations like ours have their boundaries, and there are certain questions and problems we can’t answer or solve. He suggested that we shouldn’t aim to do everything, but also acknowledged that we should not shy away from boldness when facing the future. In essence, he encouraged us to work together, with a mindset of shared sacrifice for the greater good, and strive to give our best.

After leaving the White House, he shifted his focus towards education. In the 1980s, Carter took up a professorship at Emory University in Atlanta, where he also established The Carter Center and wrote over 30 books during his lifetime.

The politician is known for his kindness throughout his professional and personal life. After his presidency ended, he and his wife focused on improving lives not only within the U.S., but worldwide through the Carter Center. This humanitarian work gained recognition in 2002 when the former peanut farmer was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize.

Furthermore, Carter is frequently recognized for his role in kickstarting the clean energy initiative. While in office, he established the Department of Energy and implemented tax breaks for homes with energy-efficient insulation and for those adopting solar power systems.

Having lived through numerous trials and triumphs, I firmly believe that the passion for freedom is surging more than ever before. As a dedicated follower who has witnessed the transformative power of this spirit, I am convinced that our most noble and ambitious task as Americans on this new beginning is to help shape a just and peaceful world that embodies true humanity. The lessons I’ve learned from my life experiences have shown me that we must harness this renewed energy to create a better future for all mankind.

Look back at Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter’s love story…

A striking photograph of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, taken during their early years as a naval officer and his wife, is prominently displayed at the Plains High School Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, a landmark in their Georgia hometown that highlights their earliest days together.

Regardless of an audience of thousands at the Democratic National Convention in 1976, the Carters were able to create intimate moments together privately.

Jimmy, Rosalynn, and family members including their daughter Amy Lynn, sons Jack and Jeff (and his wife Annette), were there at the DNC together.

 

On Election Night in 1976, the couple, who were together with their family in Atlanta, hugged each other in joy when they learned that Jimmy Carter had been elected as the 39th president of the United States.

After being sworn in on January 20, 1977, the president and his wife made a stylish appearance at several inaugural balls. Notably, Rosalynn chose to reuse the Mary Matise gown she had worn for her husband’s gubernatorial inauguration balls in 1971. This decision sparked some surprised glances, but the president was fully behind his wife, expressing pride over her beauty and grace in his book “A Full Life.

Amy Lynn Carter, aged nine, along with her Siamese cat Misty Malarky Ying Yang and her dog Grits, resided at the White House starting from January 1977.

Jimmy became the first president since Theodore Roosevelt (and no other president has done so since) to have a child attend a public school, with Amy being enrolled at Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Washington, D.C.

If the Internet existed back in 1980, this moment would have undoubtedly gone viral: During one debate against Republican contender Ronald Reagan, as President, I found myself drawing upon an unexpected source for insight. In a conversation I had with my then-13-year-old daughter Amy prior to the debate, she identified what she believed was the most significant issue at hand – the control and disarmament of nuclear weapons.

Well, I can’t help but reminisce about that electrifying moment! If you recall, following the other side’s antics, Reagan supporters in Milwaukee were chanting my name, sweetly calling out “Amy! Amy!” just two days later. The future 40th president, who was once a playmate of mine during our childhood years, humorously remarked, “I remember when Patti and Ron were just little tykes,” he joked. “We used to discuss the power of nuclear energy back then.

“Amy’s ‘Ask Amy’ bumper stickers proved profitable for Republican organizations swiftly. She even graced The Tonight Show stage, with host Johnny Carson humorously remarking, ‘This monologue will be significant since I asked Amy Carter about the key issues to poke fun at.’

By the time Jimmy was sworn in as president, the Carters already had a young daughter and three daughters-in-law. The majority of their family subsequently relocated to Washington.

Jack and his wife, Judy Langford, resided in Georgia, where they gave birth to their son Jason James Carter on August 7, 1975, and daughter Sarah Rosemary on December 19, 1978. After their separation, Jack tied the knot with Elizabeth Brasfield, a mother of two, on May 15, 1992.

During his father’s term in office, the Carters’ second son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, held a position with the Democratic National Committee in Washington. On Inauguration Day, his wife, Caron Griffin, who was eight months pregnant at the time, joined the family on the parade route for a few blocks. However, despite her pregnancy, she walked alongside the family for several blocks as the president and first lady decided to walk the entire 1.5 miles from the Capitol to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – an unusual choice.

Along the parade path, upon noticing our walk, spectators started cheering and weeping, Jimmy noted later, creating a deeply emotional moment not just for them but also for us.

In February 1977, James Earl Carter IV, the son of Chip and Caron, was born. Later in August, it became known that Chip would be going back to Plains, while his wife and child would remain with the family, and they publicly announced their separation in 1978. Eventually, Chip married Ginger Hodges and together they had a daughter named Margaret Alicia Carter on September 23, 1987.

Chip’s been married to third wife Becky Payne since 2001.

Back in 1975, on a day that felt like pure magic, I, an ardent admirer, got to witness the beautiful union of Jeff Carters, son of the esteemed Carters, and his cherished college sweetheart, Annette Davis. This momentous occasion took place on the 6th of April. As fate would have it, this special couple also found themselves residing within the hallowed walls of the White House, all while Jeff continued his studies at George Washington University. What a time to be alive!

Jeff and Annette ultimately welcomed three sons: Joshua Jeffrey (born in 1984), Jeremy Davis (who passed away in 2015), and James Carlton (born in 1991). They remained together until her passing on September 19, 2021.

Rosalynn was her husband’s number-one confidante when he was president—and forever after.

“It’s a full partnership,” Carter told the AP in 2021 of his then-75-year marriage.

Jimmy and Rosalyn remain in sync at the White House in January 1979.

Hello there! As I reflect on my life journey, let me share a bit about my family. In the year 1995, I was a proud daughter, and in 1999, I became a mother for the first time to an amazing boy named Hugo, whom I had with my first husband, James Gregory Wentzel. Fast forward to 2007, I found love again with John Joseph “Jay” Kelly, and together we welcomed our second son, Errol Carter Kelly, into our loving family.

The home that Jimmy and Rosalynn constructed back in 1961, which they’ve resided in continuously, has always served as a communal meeting place for their entire family.

The Carters are also the great-grandparents of Jason’s sons Henry and Thomas, along with their wife Kate; Sarah’s daughter Josephine, her husband Brendan Keith Murphy; Margaret’s daughter Alicia, with her husband Harold Edward Carter; Joshua’s sons Charles and Jonathan, together with his wife Sarah; and James’ daughter Rayna Rose, who is married to Anna.

It’s no wonder they earned the nickname “first lovebirds.”

Jimmy knew a thing or two about keeping the peace.

In the words of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, daily it is essential for spouses to foster dialogue and resolution of issues. They should not allow unresolved disagreements to persist before going to bed each night.

Rosalynn mentioned that she and Jimmy are often seeking activities they can enjoy as a pair, but she emphasized the significance of each person having their own personal space too.

 

In 2019, Jimmy shared with People that one of Jesus’ teachings that resonated with him was about using any talents one has to help others. He and his wife, Rosa, have been doing just that for nearly four decades by volunteering and advocating for Habitat for Humanity. They strive to follow this teaching in their own lives.

Over time, the Carters’ direct participation in construction lessened, but they became inextricably linked with the organization that specializes in creating affordable homes and providing mortgage loans without interest charges to individuals who might otherwise struggle to buy a house.

Jimmy shared, “Our mental abilities are quite similar to how they once were, but our endurance and physical power aren’t as strong as before. However, we make an effort to remain active and continue to excel in our tasks.

Over time, they became extremely skilled at using tools, eventually managing to knock down their own bedroom wall during a late-life home improvement project in Plains.

In 2018, Rosalynn shared with the Washington Post that due to our extensive collaboration with Habitat, working with them felt like a familiar routine.

Jimmy shared with People in 2019 that living until the age of 95 isn’t easy; he believes it’s crucial to find an exceptional partner. This person should provide care, stimulate engagement, present challenges, and help maintain a zest for life by keeping you actively involved.

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2024-12-30 00:48