Jimmy Carter attends funeral of late wife Rosalynn in Georgia hometown: Updates

Former President Jimmy Carter appeared beside his family to honour his late wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at a private funeral service on Wednesday in Plains, Georgia.

Carter, a renowned mental health advocate, died on November 19 at the age of 96, just two days after entering hospice. Earlier this year she was diagnosed with dementia.

Wednesday’s funeral was a private event for Carter’s close friends and family, marking the end of three days of memorial and tribute services.

During the service, several of Carter’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren spoke at her funeral, recalling her empathetic nature.

The funeral service will be followed by a private internment, closed to the media, at the Carter family residence.

It comes one day after a public tribute service to the late first lady which was attended by President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton and former First Ladies Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Melania Trump.

Key points

• Jimmy Carter attends late wife’s funeral

• Schedule for Wednesday

• Rosalynn Carter will be honoured by former first ladies and Biden at tribute service

• In Pics: Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service

Jason Carter welcomes first ladies and ‘their lovely husbands’

Tuesday 28 November 2023 19:45 , Ariana Baio

The grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter delivered a funny and moving speech about his grandmother who died on November 19th.

To introduce the guests of honors, Mr Carter thanked all the former First Ladies including Melania Trump, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush as well as current First Lady Jill Biden for coming.

To throw in some humour, Mr Carter added: “Secretary Clinton and Dr Biden, we also welcome your lovely husbands."

Country stars perform at funeral service

Tuesday 28 November 2023 19:52 , Graeme Massie

US country singer Trisha Yearwood and husband Garth Brooks perform during a tribute service for former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service ends

Tuesday 28 November 2023 19:56 , Graeme Massie

Carter’s coffin was removed from the church as former President Jimmy Carter also left the building in his wheelchair.

Former presidents and first ladies leave tribute service

Tuesday 28 November 2023 19:58 , Graeme Massie

Bill Clinton could be seen tapping his heart and pointing at people in the audience.

Watch: President Carter arrives at tribute service to wife Rosalynn

Tuesday 28 November 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Rosalynn carter’s casket loaded into hearse after service

Tuesday 28 November 2023 20:01 , Graeme Massie

Her family watched from the steps of the church as members of the us military solemnly loaded the casket into the hearse.

Images from tribute service

Tuesday 28 November 2023 20:16 , Graeme Massie

Amy Carter shares Jimmy Carter’s words about Rosalynn

Tuesday 28 November 2023 20:30 , Amber Jamieson1

Amy Carter, the only daughter of former President Jimmy and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, shared words that Mr Carter wrote about his late wife.

“My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad,” Ms Carter said teary-eyed. “Their partnership and love story was a defining feature of her life.”

Ms Carter said because her father was unable to speak at the tribute, she chose to read from a letter Jimmy that he wrote to Rosalynn 75 years ago.

My darling, every time I have ever been away from you, I had been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are. While I’m away I tried to convince myself that you really are not could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn’t to me. Goodbye darling. Until tomorrow, Jimmy”

Journalist Judy Woodruff deliver eulogy of Rosalynn Carter

Tuesday 28 November 2023 20:45 , Ariana Baio

Judy Woodruff, a journalist and producer who notably worked for PBS NewsHour, delivered the eulogy of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter during her tribute service on Tuesday.

During her speech, Ms Woodruff recalled her last interview with the Carters – where they complimented the current administration under President Joe Biden.

Watch: Amy Carter, daughter of former president and first lady, reads a love letter from Jimmy to Rosalynn

Tuesday 28 November 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Secret Service ‘made sure Rosalynn Carter got home safe’

Tuesday 28 November 2023 21:30 , Ariana Baio

Pastor Tony Lowden, the family pastor of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, made sure to thank Secret Service members who spent 46 protecting the former first lady for getting her home safe.

“For 46 years they made sure she got home safe,” Pastor Lowden said during the tribute service on Tuesday afternoon.

“I want to tell each and every one of them, she would tell you, ‘Thank you. You got me home safe.’” He added.

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks sing ‘Imagine'

Tuesday 28 November 2023 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Country music legends Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks sang John Lennon’s song Imagine at former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s tribute ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.

The two musicians, who were close friends of the Carters, performed an acoustic version in Carter’s honour.

Rosalynn Carter’s grandchildren serve as honorary pallbearers

Tuesday 28 November 2023 23:00 , Ariana Baio

Rosalynn Carter remembered for her mental health advocacy at poignant tribute

Wednesday 29 November 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

Rosalynn Carter has been remembered for her dedication to mental health awareness during a tribute service honouring the former first lady.

On Tuesday 28 November, former US president Jimmy Carter was joined by fellow former presidents, first ladies, and US politicians for a tribute service at Emory University’s Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The service comes more than one week after her death on 19 November aged 96.

Meredith Clark reports:

Rosalynn Carter remembered for her mental health advocacy at poignant tribute

Rosalynn Carter was ‘the glue’ that held Carter family together

Wednesday 29 November 2023 01:00 , Ariana Baio

During a tribute from Rosalynn Carter’s son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, the former first lady’s son described how his mother kept the entire Carter family together.

Mr Carter described his mother as “the glue” that held the family together “through the ups and downs and thicks of things of our family’s politics.”

He reflected on her time as first lady and her desire to help people throughout the country as well as establish duties for the Office of the First Lady.

“She told me that when dad started running for president that the thing that she enjoyed the most was the people that she met across the country,” Mr Carter said.

He added that Rosalynn’s empathetic nature helped him personally when he needed to seek help for his substance use disorder.

“She saved my life.”

Who are Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter’s children?

Wednesday 29 November 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio

John Carter

John William “Jack” Carter, 76, is the eldest son of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

He spent his young adult years at the Georgia Institute of Technology, but later left to join the US Navy and served during the Vietnam War.

He would eventually be discharged after he was caught smoking marijuana while stationed in Idaho, but would later rejoin Georgia Tech and earn a degree in nuclear physics.

Like his father, Mr Carter also had a stint in US politics, winning the Democratic primary for the US Senate of Nevada in 2006, but lost the general election to Republican John Ensign.

James Carter

James Earl “Chip” Carter III, 73, the second eldest son, was handed down his father’s and grandfather’s name. He later had a son with his first wife Caron Griffin, who he also bestowed the name upon.

He worked in the family peanut warehouse for a while before he was elected to the Plains City Council and worked on the Democratic National Committee, he told the University of Georgia.

Donnel Carter

Donnel “Jeff” Carter, 71, is the youngest of the Carter brothers.

He studied geography and computer cartography and later co-founded the company, Computer Mapping Consultants, with his former professor the same year he graduated, he told Time magazine.

He had three children, Joshua, Jeremy and the late James.

Amy Carter

Amy Carter, 56, is the only daughter and youngest child by 15 years of the former president and first lady.

Ms Carter spent her childhood years in the White House while her father was serving as president, putting her in the political and media spotlight at a young age.

She later went on to become known for her political activism, such as participating in protests and sit-ins against US foreign policy in Central America and apartheid in South Africa. On one occasion in 1986, Ms Carter and several others were arrested during a protest against CIA recruitment.

Jimmy Carter makes rare public appearance at Rosalynn Carter tribute service

Wednesday 29 November 2023 03:00 , Ariana Baio

Jason Carter, grandson of Rosaylnn, delivers moving eulogy

Wednesday 29 November 2023 04:00 , Ariana Baio

Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter delivered an emotional tribute of his grandmother.

“My grandmother doesn’t need a eulogy; her life was a sermon,” Mr Carter said.

Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were ‘still holding hands’ at the end

Wednesday 29 November 2023 06:00 , Ariana Baio

The grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter previously told news outlets that even at the end of their lives, the two were still together and holding hands.

“They are still here, they are still holding hands and still very much together,” Josh Carter told People magazine in August.

Carter and her husband were married for 77 years.

Toward the end of her life, Carter was diagnosed with dementia. But even then, she was able to recognise her husband.

Josh Carter told People Carter was aware of Mr Carter and her other family members at the time but that it was probably “hard” for Mr Carter to see his wife lose access to older memories.

“I think the beautiful thing is that they are still together,” Josh said.

Watch: President Carter arrives at tribute service to wife Rosalynn

Wednesday 29 November 2023 08:00 , Ariana Baio

Living former first ladies attend Rosaylnn Carter tribute

Wednesday 29 November 2023 10:00 , Ariana Baio

Every living first lady – former and current – attended the tribute service of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter on Tuesday afternoon.

First Lady Jill Biden joined Melania Trump, Micelle Obama, Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were all in attendance, standing front and center.

President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton were also in attendance along with Carter’s husband, former President Jimmy Carter.

Jimmy Carter ‘wasn’t going to miss this for anything’

Wednesday 29 November 2023 11:00 , Ariana Baio

Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter told The New York Times that his grandfather was determined to attend Rosalynn’s tribute service despite his physical condition.

Mr Carter told The Times that his grandfather, who is 99, is “coming to the end” and “very, very, physically diminished.”

“But I think he was proud and happy that he was there for her till the very end, and he wasn’t going to miss this for anything,” Mr Carter added.

“He has been this moral rock for so many people, but she really was that rock for him. He’s glad he’s not going to miss it, but we’re all worried about him.”

Jimmy Carter entered the tribute service in a wheelchair with a blanket draped over his lap. He appeared pale and did not make eye contact with the current or former presidents and first ladies when he arrived.

Jimmy Carter seen for the first time since Rosalynn’s death at her tribute

Wednesday 29 November 2023 12:00 , Ariana Baio

Former President Jimmy Carter attended the memorial service of his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, on Tuesday – making a rare public appearance since entering hospice in February.

Mr Carter, 99, emerged from the wings of the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University in a wheelchair to join the current president and first lady, as well as other former first ladies to pay his respects to his late wife of 77 years.

Ariana Baio reports:

Jimmy Carter seen for the first time since Rosalynn’s death at her tribute

Jimmy Carter remains in hospice care after Rosalynn’s death

Wednesday 29 November 2023 13:00 , Ariana Baio

Jimmy Carter remains a home hospice patient and there are “no updates” on the former president’s health, according to a spokesperson for the Carter Center.

The spokesperson, Matthew De Galan, addressed Mr Carter’s health the day after former First Lady Rosalynn Carter died at the family home in Plains, Georgia, on November 19.

Ms Carter’s death came just days after it was announced that the 96-year-old had also entered home hospice. She had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

The former president’s last public appearance came in September, when in a surprise, he and his wife took part in the Peanut Festival in Plains.

The couple were seen riding in an SUV and waving to the crowd.

Schedule for Wednesday

Wednesday 29 November 2023 14:00 , Ariana Baio

Rosalynn Carter’s memorial services will continue today with a private funeral service and interment.

At 11am, a service for the family will be held at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.

At 12:30pm the casket will be transferred from the church to a private interment at the Carter family residence.

Carter will be buried in a private ceremony at the Carter Home and Garden.

What will the funeral procession look like?

Wednesday 29 November 2023 15:00 , Ariana Baio

Today, the Carter family will have a private funeral service and burial for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in Plains, Georgia

At 11am a motorcade will depart from the Carter family residence and head toward Maranatha Baptist Church for the private funeral service. Some media will be allowed inside the church as well as outside.

At the end of the service, the funeral will go back to the Carter residence where a private interment will take place with no media pressence.

Watch Live: Former first lady Rosalynn Carter laid to rest at funeral in Georgia

Wednesday 29 November 2023 15:44 , Ariana Baio

Live: Former first lady Rosalynn Carter laid to rest at funeral in Georgia

Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard keeps vigil over the casket of Rosalynn Carter

Wednesday 29 November 2023 16:00 , Ariana Baio

Jimmy Carter attends late wife’s funeral

Wednesday 29 November 2023 16:17 , Ariana Baio

Jimmy Carter, the former president of the United States, attended his late wife, Rosalynn Carter’s, funeral service on Wednesday in Plains, Georgia.

Appearing at the Maranatha Baptist Church this morning, Carter wore a dark suit and lei around his neck – an ode to the couple’s time spent in Hawaii while he was in the Navy.

Carter, 99, has been in hospice care since February.

Mourners line the streets to say goodbye to Rosalynn Carter

Wednesday 29 November 2023 16:30 , Ariana Baio

As the motorcade carrying Rosalynn Carter’s casket from the Carter family residence to the church where a private funeral service will be, mourners in Plains, Georgia lined the streets to say their final goodbyes.

Carter, a human rights advocate and beloved figure of Georgia, had a massive impact on her community – becoming a central figure in her husband, former President Jimmy Carter’s political career from the start.

The former First Lady’s impact could be seen from the love and admiration members of the town in south Georgia displayed on Wednesday.

Where will Rosalynn Carter be buried?

Wednesday 29 November 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will be buried at her family’s home in Plains, Georgia.

The home is the same one she shared with former President Jimmy Carter since the 1960s.

Rosalynn Carter’s children, grandchildren speak at her funeral

Wednesday 29 November 2023 17:30 , Ariana Baio

During Rosalynn Carter’s funeral on Wednesday, several of her close family members delivered remarks about her and read biblical passages.

This included Carter’s eldest son, John “Jack” Carter and her grandson, Joshua Jeffrey Carter, who delivered a tribute on behalf of his father, Donnel “Jeff” Carter.

Both spoke about Carter’s empathetic nature, independent attitude toward life and lifelong partnership with Jimmy Carter.

Three of Carter’s grandchildren delivered short biblical readings.

Charlie Carter, one of Carter’s younger great-grandchildren gave short reading: “Be kind to one another.”

President and vice president post messages after attending tribute service

Wednesday 29 November 2023 18:00 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris posted messages about Rosalynn Carter after attending her tribute service on Wednesday.

“A champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls. An advocate for mental health and wellness. A supporter of unseen caregivers. Today, a grateful nation remembers Rosalynn Carter, a First Lady who walked her own path, inspiring us all along the way,” Mr Biden wrote.

Ms Harris posted a photo of her and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff as well as her signature in the guest book

In Photos: Jimmy Carter and family at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral

Wednesday 29 November 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Carter remembered for her kind nature

Wednesday 29 November 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Even toward the end of her life, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was dedicated to kindness and helping others.

Pastor Tony Lowden, the Carter family pastor, said during her sermon that Carter “loved on everyone” around her including her children, family, friends, aides and more.

Pastor Lowden described how Carter would call him or write notes telling him she was thinking of him, checking on him and praying for him in his toughest moments.

“She was as real as they get,” Pastor Lowden said. “She was a virtuous woman.”

Carter Center shares photos of private funeral proceedings

Wednesday 29 November 2023 20:16 , Megan Sheets

Church that hosted Rosalynn Carter funeral played key role in her and her husband's lives

Wednesday 29 November 2023 21:00 , Associated Press

The church where those closest to Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter bid farewell to the former first lady Wednesday played a central role in the lives of the famous couple from tiny Plains, Georgia.

Maranatha Baptist Church, which hosted the funeral for Rosalynn Carter, held its first services just months into her husband’s presidency, and the two were heavily involved with it over the years.

Jimmy Carter, who is 99 and attended the funeral in a wheelchair, having entered home hospice care early this year, taught Sunday school at the church for decades. His lessons, often on what the Bible says about forgiveness and serving the poor, drew hundreds of people from far and wide, even overseas.

Rosalynn, who died Nov. 19 at 96, would listen in, and the two would pose for photos afterward with anyone who wanted one.

Jimmy Carter, who built the wooden cross that hangs behind the alter, continued teaching even after he announced his cancer diagnosis in 2015. His niece Kim Fuller took over for him when he had brain surgery in late 2019, though he continued to attend her lessons.

See photos of the church intertwined with the Carters’ lives:

AP Photos: Church that hosted Rosalynn Carter funeral played key role in her and her husband's lives

Rosalynn Carter remembered for her mental health advocacy

Wednesday 29 November 2023 23:00 , Meredith Clark

Rosalynn Carter was remembered for her dedication to mental health awareness during a tribute service honouring the former first lady.

On Tuesday, former US president Jimmy Carter was joined by fellow former presidents, first ladies, and US politicians for a tribute service at Emory University’s Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The service comes more than one week after her death on 19 November at the age of 96.

The tribute service included special speeches from Carter’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Since her passing, Americans everywhere have reflected on the former first lady’s mental health advocacy. Those who have worked closely with Carter are now highlighting how the first lady was quite ahead of her time when it came to championing mental health.

“I do not think there has ever been another sort of leader in the mental health field who has had as much of an impact on mental health care and access to care and how we think about mental health and mental illness as Mrs Carter,” Kathy Cade, vice chair of The Carter Center, told the Associated Press in the months leading up to Carter’s death. “And I think it has to do with her incredible concern about the issue and her perseverance for more than 50 years.”

Read more:

Rosalynn Carter remembered for her mental health advocacy at poignant tribute service

Watch: President Jimmy Carter arrives at wife Rosalynn's funeral

01:00 , Megan Sheets

‘She saved my life’: Rosalynn’s grandson pays tribute

03:00 , Ariana Baio

During a tribute from Rosalynn Carter’s son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, the former first lady’s son described how his mother kept the entire Carter family together.

Mr Carter described his mother as “the glue” that held the family together “through the ups and downs and thicks of things of our family’s politics.”

He reflected on her time as first lady and her desire to help people throughout the country as well as establish duties for the Office of the First Lady.

“She told me that when dad started running for president that the thing that she enjoyed the most was the people that she met across the country,” Mr Carter said.

He added that Rosalynn’s empathetic nature helped him personally when he needed to seek help for his substance use disorder.

“She saved my life.”

WATCH: Love letter from Jimmy to Rosalynn read at memorial

06:00 , Megan Sheets

Why were flags flown at half-staff for Rosalynn Carter?

08:00 , Megan Sheets

Following the death of the former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away at the age of 96 on 19 November, the White House took measures to pay homage to her.

President Joe Biden signed a proclamation that ordered all US flags to be lowered down to half-staff from 25 November “as a mark of respect for the memory” of Ms Carter.

The proclamation said all US flags will be flown at half-staff, meaning the flag would be dropped down to somewhere around the middle of the pole.

US flags on the White House, all public buildings and grounds, naval stations, military posts, and naval vessels throughout the country and its territories would fly at half-staff from 25 November until 29 November at sunset, when Ms Carter was due to be laid to rest.

Mr Biden followed in the proclamation that this also applied to all US embassies, legations, consular offices and all other facilities abroad.

Read on:

Why are flags being flown at half-staff for Rosalynn Carter?

Who are Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter’s children?

10:00 , Ariana Baio

John Carter

John William “Jack” Carter, 76, is the eldest son of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

He spent his young adult years at the Georgia Institute of Technology, but later left to join the US Navy and served during the Vietnam War.

He would eventually be discharged after he was caught smoking marijuana while stationed in Idaho, but would later rejoin Georgia Tech and earn a degree in nuclear physics.

Like his father, Mr Carter also had a stint in US politics, winning the Democratic primary for the US Senate of Nevada in 2006, but lost the general election to Republican John Ensign.

James Carter

James Earl “Chip” Carter III, 73, the second eldest son, was handed down his father’s and grandfather’s name. He later had a son with his first wife Caron Griffin, who he also bestowed the name upon.

He worked in the family peanut warehouse for a while before he was elected to the Plains City Council and worked on the Democratic National Committee, he told the University of Georgia.

Donnel Carter

Donnel “Jeff” Carter, 71, is the youngest of the Carter brothers.

He studied geography and computer cartography and later co-founded the company, Computer Mapping Consultants, with his former professor the same year he graduated, he told Time magazine.

He had three children, Joshua, Jeremy and the late James.

Amy Carter

Amy Carter, 56, is the only daughter and youngest child by 15 years of the former president and first lady.

Ms Carter spent her childhood years in the White House while her father was serving as president, putting her in the political and media spotlight at a young age.

She later went on to become known for her political activism, such as participating in protests and sit-ins against US foreign policy in Central America and apartheid in South Africa. On one occasion in 1986, Ms Carter and several others were arrested during a protest against CIA recruitment.

RECAP: Jimmy Carter makes rare public appearance for Rosalynn’s tribute service

12:00 , Ariana Baio

Former President Jimmy Carter attended the memorial service of his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, on Tuesday – making a rare public appearance since entering hospice in February.

Mr Carter, 99, emerged from the wings of the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University in a wheelchair to join the current president and first lady, as well as other former first ladies to pay his respects to his late wife of 77 years.

Read more:

Jimmy Carter seen for the first time since Rosalynn’s death at her tribute

WATCH: Inside Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service

14:00 , Megan Sheets