Rosalynn Carter service recap: Tribute ceremony honors kindness, humor & love of Carter

Funeral services for former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died at the age of 96 on Nov. 19, continued Tuesday, Nov. 28 in Atlanta, Ga. A tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University took place from 1:30-3 p.m.

Former President Jimmy Carter attended, along with a host of other well-known political figures and Georgians.

The memorial services and funeral was broadcast by major television networks and streamed online.

Below is a summary of the service.

Watch Live: Rosalynn Carter tribute service in Atlanta

Service concludes after final words from Tony Lowden, former pastor of Maranatha Baptist in Plains | 2:50 p.m.

Pastor Tony Lowden closed the service with words about Rosalynn Carter's life work.

"Take your passion and make it a habit," Lowden said.

He also joked that Rosalynn would have said "thank you to all the first ladies that came — and stopped all the traffic in Georgia and Atlanta."

Lowden said that Rosalynn Carter "did the work of the Lord" and that now she is "home safe."

Music followed the benediction to conclude the service.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform

Country music singers Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks perform "Imagine" by John Lennon.

Jason Carter, Jimmy and Rosalynn grandson, welcomes first ladies' "lovely husbands"

Jason Carter opened by addressing the row of dignitaries, specifically the four former first ladies and current first lady, thanking them for the leadership they provide.

"Thank for acknowledging this remarkable sisterhood that you share with my grandmother," Carter said.

Carter then quipped: "Secretary (Clinton) and Dr. Biden, we also welcome your lovely husbands."

Amy Carter reads a letter from Jimmy Carter to Rosalynn

Amy Carter, daughter of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, went to the podium to read a letter from her dad, written 75 years ago while he was in the Navy.

"My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad," Amy Carter stated before reading the letter.

Below is the entirety of the letter she read:

My darling, every time I have ever been away from you, I have 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. 

Judy Woodruff, journalist, opens with lighthearted joke

Judy Woodruff, who covered the Carter family through Jimmy Carter's political career, opened her comments by addressing the dignitaries seated on the front row.

"Rosalynn Carter would be so please to see that she brought all of you together on this day," Woodruff joked, as a nod to the differences in political views among the guests.

Kathryn Cade, former aide, speaks on Rosalynn accomplishments

Kathryn Cade, who served as first lady Rosalynn Carter's projects director in the White House, spoke after Chip Carter. Cade listed many of Rosalyn Carter's advocacies and accomplishments, ranging from her international mission work to mental health activism to monarch butterfly advocacy.

Chip Carter recalls heartfelt memories of mother Rosalynn | 1:45 p.m.

Chip Carter, one of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter's four children, told a number of heartfelt memories of his mother, including her support of him through his addiction struggles.

His remembrances, which showed the kind and humorous sides of his mother, were frequently met with laughs from guests in the church crowd.

"Let me finish by saying, my mother, Rosalynn Carter was the most beautiful woman I ever met," Chip Carter said "And pretty to look at, too."

Full transcription: Everything son Chip Carter said in Atlanta tribute

To see Chip Carter's full speech, go to the USA TODAY livestream below.

Casket enters church, service begins | 1:30 p.m.

The casket of Rosalynn Carter was brought in the church right at 1:30 p.m. as the choir sang.

Jimmy Carter arrives at service

Former President Jimmy Carter takes his place on the front row ahead of Rosalynn Carter's service. Jimmy Carter, who has been in hospice since February, was not at services on Monday.

Also on the front row alongside Carter is: former President Bill Clinton, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Melania Trump.

Vice President Kamala Harris and first gentlemen Douglas Emhoff were seated on the second row.

Rosalynn Carter casket, Carter family arrives at church | 1:20 p.m.

Just after 1:20 p.m., an Armed Forces body bearer team moved the casket from the hearse into Glenn Memorial UMC. Family members, serving as honorary pallbearers, lined the exterior stairs of the church as the casket was moved.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, first lady Marty Kemp arrive | 1:05 p.m.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp walked into the church just after 1 p.m. Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock followed immediately after.

Sen. Jon Ossoff was also seen taking his seat next to Warnock.

The service was set to begin at 1 p.m. but had not started as of 1:15 p.m.

Rosalynn Carter casket carried from Carter Center

An Armed Forces body bearer team moved the casket of former first lady Rosalynn Carter from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum just before noon Tuesday. The service at Glenn Memorial UMC on the campus of Emory University begins at 1 p.m.

Clintons arrive at church | 12:20 p.m.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrive at Glenn Memorial UMC ahead of the tribute service.

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden arrive in Atlanta | 12:15 p.m.

The presidential motorcade arrived at Glenn Memorial UMC around 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

Vice presidential motorcade arrives in Atlanta | Noon

The vice presidential motorcade arrived at Glenn Memorial UMC just before noon on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden flew into Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga and were en route to the church.

Condolence book set up in the White House Visitors Center

As former first lady Rosalynn Carter is being honored in Georgia this week, Americans are offering tributes in Washington, D.C.

“Your legacy will go on in the lives of those you helped,” a family from Pennsylvania wrote in a condolence book set up in the White House Visitors Center by the White House Historical Association.

Many of the signers called Carter a role model. They praised her “kindness and grace,” her advocacy for the vulnerable and her “wonderful marriage and relationship with Jimmy.”

“You were an inspiration to a generation of women!” a woman from Florida wrote.

“You were and will always be an icon,” wrote a woman from Ohio who praised Carter for blazing a pathway for women in public service.

A nurse recalled meeting Carter, who fought stigmas around mental health, when Carter spoke at a convention of psychiatric nurses.

“Thank you for your service and sacrifice,” the nurse wrote.

A woman from California said her first vote for president was for Jimmy Carter.

“And having you for first lady was a tremendous bonus,” she added. “Thank you for your continued service to humankind. May you rest in peace with your lord.”

USA TODAY reporter Maureen Groppe contributed this from Washington D.C.

Bidens en route from D.C. to Atlanta

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden departed the White House for Atlanta around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Secret Service sweeps church area early Tuesday

Roads were shut down around Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University when the Secret Service began their security sweep at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

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This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Rosalynn Carter Atlanta, GA tribute service recap from Tuesday