Rosalynn Carter: Jimmy Carter attends tribute service for wife of 77 years
Take a look: Past female presidents' wives pay tribute to Rosalynn Carter.
Jimmy Carter, the former President, went to a ceremony honoring his wife Rosalynn in Georgia. This was an exceptional event because he has been receiving hospice care for the past 10 months.
At the gathering, Mr. Carter, who is 99 years old, made his way in a wheelchair while wearing a sharp dark suit. Accompanying him were his four children.
Chip Carter, the son of the couple, said to the attendees - among them President Joe Biden - that his mother was the binding element that kept their family united.
This month, a 96-year-old woman named Mrs. Carter passed away.
In May, it was found that she was suffering from dementia and in the days approaching her demise, she was admitted to hospice care in Georgia.
Her marriage to Mr. Carter, who was in the White House from 1977 to 1981, has lasted 77 years and is the longest of any first couple.
The original source of the image used in this blog was Getty Images.
Rosalynn Carter's grandkids stood in a line of respect as her casket was brought into the ceremony.
On Tuesday morning, a procession of vehicles escorted Mrs. Carter to the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church located at Emory University for a service to honor her.
The facility drew the attention of some of the highest-ranking officials in the United States, such as the past leader Bill Clinton. The event conveyed the high regard both Republicans and Democrats had for her.
The service had the presence of First Lady Jill Biden and all four former living First Ladies - Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
The gathering marked a rare occasion where all the current living first ladies were present at one location since the funeral of George HW Bush back in 2018. Melania Trump and Michelle Obama were seated adjacent to each other, making the event a memorable one.
Ex-Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama were extended an invitation, though they did not attend.
The gathering was also attended by Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Governor of Georgia Brian Kemp, the Senators of Georgia Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and the Mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens.
Mrs Carter's loved ones and inner circle were at the forefront of tribute-giving.
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Mr and Mrs Clinton journeyed to Georgia aboard Air Force One in the company of President Biden.
When planning for the event, it was not clear if President Carter would be attending. He has been receiving care for end-of-life since February, due to a range of significant health problems like melanoma that has affected his liver and brain.
The past leader observed from the prime spot, occupying a wheelchair with a blanket hiding his legs. Beside him, his offspring Amy was grasping onto his hand throughout the event.
Before the service, Jason Carter, who happens to be one of the ex-president's grandsons, mentioned to the New York Times that his granddad is approaching his final stages, and his physical condition has greatly deteriorated.
In my opinion, he felt a sense of satisfaction and joy in being by her side until the very end. He was determined not to let anything stop him from being there for her.
The source of the image is Getty Images.
Addressing the audience from the elevated platform, acquaintances and relatives shared anecdotes about the extraordinary existence of Mrs. Carter and the valuable assets she has bestowed upon posterity.
During the 1960s, Mrs. Carter's husband started his political journey, serving as the Georgia state senator, then progressing to the governor, and eventually becoming the US president. Throughout this, Mrs. Carter devoted herself to decreasing the discrimination against individuals with mental illnesses.
During her time as the first lady of Georgia, she joined a commission created by the governor with the aim of enhancing services for people with mental health issues. After becoming the US first lady, she was appointed as the honorary chair for the President's Commission on Mental Health. This commission played a vital role in the approval of the 1980 act that provided financial support to community-based centers for mental health.
Once departing from Washington, she and her partner established the Carter Center in 1982. This organization enabled her to carry on with her efforts to support mental health, immunisation of young children, and other humanitarian undertakings.
Source of the picture, Getty Images.
Amy, the daughter of Mrs. Carter, paid complete attention to the long-lasting bond she shared with President Carter. She read a letter that was written by him 75 years ago while he served as a commander on a submarine in the US Navy.
"I have always felt ecstatic every time I have been separated from you, my love. Upon my return, I am always pleasantly surprised by your amazing qualities," she expressed while reading. "I never fail to fall in love with you all over again as soon as I lay my eyes on you. Does that sound odd to you? It certainly does not to me."
The photo featured in this article was originally obtained from Getty Images.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Carter's preferred biblical verses were recited and live music was performed by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who are both acquaintances of the Carters and have collaborated on Habitat for Humanity projects, a non-profit organization.
Following the ceremony, Mrs. Carter started her trip back to Plains, where the Carters have resided for many years.
A funeral ceremony, limited to family and intimate acquaintances, will occur at the Maranatha Baptist Church in the town on Wednesday morning.
When she passes away, she will be laid to rest in the Carter Home and Garden, which is located within the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. When he eventually passes, her husband will also be buried next to her.
