Jimmy Carter Laid to Rest in Georgia Next to Wife Rosalynn Carter

Former President Jimmy Carter has reached his final resting place.

On January 9, the 39th President of the United States was buried beside his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, at their shared home in his birthplace in Georgia.

In a peaceful manner, Carter – the oldest living president ever in U.S. history – passed away just under three months following his 100th birthday, with family by his side at his home in Plains, Georgia. After his demise, countless individuals gathered on January 8th to express their condolences at both the U.S. Capitol and the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta.

On January 9th in the morning, political leaders paid tribute to the late president by holding a funeral service at the National Cathedral. All five current presidents attended this event – namely Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and President-elect Donald Trump. Notably, President Biden delivered a eulogy for his longtime friend, as he had promised to do before the 39th president passed away.

After the ceremony concluded, Carter’s casket was taken on a 40-mile journey back to his cherished hometown for a motorcade that ended at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where he used to teach Sunday school. Subsequently, Carter and his family embarked on a motorcade, with the route lined by people expressing their respects, to reunite with Rosalyn, who passed away in November 2023 at 96, at their final resting place.

The Democratic leader is leaving behind four children: John William “Jack” Carter, James E. “Chip” Carter III, Donnel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter, and Amy Carter. In addition, he has eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The Democratic leader’s family consists of his four kids: John William “Jack” Carter, James E. “Chip” Carter III, Donnel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter, and Amy Carter. He also has 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren in the family.

In his December 29th statement from The Carter Center, Chip expressed that his father was not just a hero to him personally, but also to all those who value peace, human rights, and selfless affection.

He went on to say, “My siblings and I have spread his teachings globally through our shared convictions. We consider the entire world as our extended family, for it is through him that people were united. We appreciate your part in preserving his legacy by upholding these mutual beliefs.

In the time leading up to his passing, President Carter put his faith in God and channeled his efforts towards humanitarian endeavors. Since his struggle with brain cancer in 2015, the ex-president has expressed finding tranquility in the rich life he lived.

Carter once expressed to reporters, “My life has been incredibly fulfilling. I’ve been blessed with countless friends and have lived a thrilling, rewarding journey. It might surprise you, but I’ve always felt at peace. Now, however, I sense that whatever the future holds, whether good or challenging, is in God’s hands – the one I believe in – and I am ready for it.

To look back at Carter’s 8-decade love story with Rosalynn, keep reading…

A striking photograph of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter from their early days, when he was a young naval officer and she was his newly-wedded bride, is particularly prominent at the Plains High School Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in their Georgia hometown.

The Carters were capable of having a personal, intimate moment, regardless of being surrounded by thousands of people during the Democratic National Convention in 1976.

Jimmy and Rosalynn were accompanied at the DNC by their daughter Amy Lynn Carter, their eldest son John William “Jack” Carter, and their third son Donnel Jeffrey “Jeff” Carter along with his spouse Annette Davis. In simpler terms, they were joined by Amy, their eldest son Jack, younger son Jeff, and Jeff’s wife Annette at the DNC.

On Election Night in 1976, the couple, gathered with their family in Atlanta, hugged each other in delight when they learned that Jimmy Carter had been elected as the 39th President of the United States.

On January 20, 1977, following Jimmy’s inauguration, the president and first lady showcased their best attire at a succession of inaugural balls. Notably, Rosalynn wore a gown she had previously used for her husband’s 1971 gubernatorial inauguration balls, which raised a few eyebrows. However, Jimmy was extremely proud of her elegance and grace, as he mentioned in his book “A Full Life.

Amy Lynn Carter, aged nine years old, along with her Siamese cat Misty Malarky Ying Yang and her dog Grits, settled in the White House in January of 1977.

Jimmy, unlike any president before or after him, chose to send his daughter, Amy, to a public school. He enrolled her at Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Washington, D.C. This was the first time a sitting president had done this since Theodore Roosevelt.

Reflecting on a past conversation I had with my teenage daughter Amy prior to this debate, I shared during our encounter that she believed the most crucial topic at hand was nuclear disarmament and the management of such weapons. This exchange took place before I stepped onto the stage for my debate against Ronald Reagan in October 1980.

Two days after delivering a speech, Amy was cheered on by Reagan supporters in Milwaukee with chants of “Amy! Amy!” The future President Ronald Reagan humorously commented, “I recall when Patti and Ron were very young children. We used to discuss nuclear energy back then.

The “Ask Amy” bumper stickers swiftly turned into a profitable venture for Republican organizations, and they even managed to secure an appearance on The Tonight Show. During this visit, host Johnny Carson humorously remarked, “This conversation with Amy Carter is going to be quite significant because I asked her what topics she considered the most suitable for making jokes.

By the time Jimmy took office as President, the Carters might have already had one young daughter, in addition to three daughters-in-law. The majority of their family subsequently relocated to Washington.

Jack and his wife Judy Langford resided in Georgia, where they had a son named Jason James Carter on August 7, 1975, and later welcomed Sarah Rosemary into the family on December 19, 1978. After their separation, Jack tied the knot with Elizabeth Brasfield, who was already a mother of two, on May 15, 1992.

The second-born son of the Carters, known as James Earl “Chip” Carter III, worked for the Democratic National Committee in Washington while his father was in office. On Inauguration Day, he resided in the White House with his wife, Caron Griffin, who was eight months pregnant at the time. Despite her pregnancy, she joined the family on the parade route for a few blocks. Remarkably, when the president and first lady chose to walk the entire 1.5 miles from the Capitol to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Caron Griffin also participated in this unusual walk.

As I strolled down the bustling parade route, the crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable. They spotted me, and their cheers erupted, followed by heartfelt tears streaming down their faces. This moving display of emotion struck a chord within us too, making the entire experience deeply emotional for our team.

James Earl Carter IV, the son of Chip and Caron, was born on February 25, 1977. In August of that year, it was revealed that Chip would be going back to Plains, while his wife and child would remain with the first family. Chip and Caron announced their separation in 1978. Later, 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.

On April 6, 1975, Jeff, the Carters’ third-born son, wed his beloved college sweetheart, Annette Davis. During this time, they resided in the White House as well, since Jeff was a student at George Washington University.

Jeff and Annette eventually 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 Annette’s 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.

Amy, who was with her father in the year 1995, gave birth to a son named Hugo in 1999 from her first husband, James Gregory Wentzel. She also has a son named Errol Carter Kelly, born since 2007, with her current spouse, John Joseph “Jay” Kelly.

Since 1961, the home that Jimmy and Rosalynn constructed has served as a beloved meeting place for the entire family, where they’ve resided ever since.

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

In this version, I have attempted to make the sentence more conversational by using phrases like “together with” and “who is married to” to create a smoother flow of information.

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

Jimmy knew a thing or two about keeping the peace.

Each day, it’s crucial for couples to work on resolving their issues and maintaining open dialogue, as the laureate of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize advised the AP. In other words, they should aim to go to bed without any unresolved disagreements lingering between them.

Rosalynn stated, “Jimmy and I enjoy finding activities we can do as a pair,” but she emphasized, “It’s crucial that each of us has personal space too.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I wholeheartedly believe in putting one’s talents to good use, especially when it comes to benefiting others. This philosophy is something I’ve always held dear, much like Jesus taught. My wife, Rosa, and I have dedicated nearly four decades to volunteering and advocating for Habitat for Humanity, living by this very principle. We strive to make a difference in people’s lives by utilizing our skills for the greater good.

Over time, the Carters’ direct role in construction diminished, but they became closely associated with the organization that specializes in constructing affordable homes and providing mortgage loans without interest, making it possible for people who couldn’t otherwise afford a home to do so.

Jimmy remarked, “Our mental abilities are quite similar to how they once were, but our endurance and physical strength aren’t as robust. However, we make every effort to keep ourselves active and continue performing well in our respective tasks.

Over the course of many years, I’ve become quite skilled with various tools, and during my later-life home renovation in Plains, I even managed to take down my own bedroom wall myself.

In 2018, Rosalynn shared with the Washington Post that by then, working with Habitat had become such a routine for us that it felt completely natural.

In 2019, Jimmy shared with People that living until the age of 95 isn’t easy. He believes that finding an exceptional partner – one who cares for you, encourages you, and stimulates your mind – is a significant factor in achieving such longevity.

2025-01-10 06:49

Read More