Rosalynn Carter Remembered As Her Family’s ‘Glue’ As Memorial Events Commence In Georgia

Following the death of the former US First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, memorial events, including ceremonies, a funeral, and a family motorcade, will take place this week starting from Monday. President Joe Biden and his first lady, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, will also be present for the memorial service on Tuesday.

The Carters will carry Rosalynn’s remains to her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, where her statue will be adorned with wreaths. The motorcade will then proceed with some of her Secret Service protection detail as honorary pallbearers to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, where the public can pay their respects.

Rosalynn will be buried in Plains

The line-up continues with a memorial service on Tuesday at the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University, Atlanta, followed by the funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church back in Plains the next day. The White House flags will be flown at half-staff during this period, and Rosalynn will be laid to rest in Plains, where she and Jimmy grew up.

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The Bidens released a tribute shortly after her death on Sunday, November 19, which read, “First Lady Rosalynn Carter walked her own path, inspiring a nation and the world along the way. Throughout her incredible life as First Lady of Georgia and the First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn did so much to address many of society’s greatest needs.”

The statement also acknowledged Rosalynn’s humanitarian work as “a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for every person; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities.”

Tributes from the Carters

Jimmy, who is currently in hospice care at 99, issued a heartfelt note in honor of his late wife. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me,” he said, reminiscing the last 77 years with her.

The couple established the Carter Center after leaving the White House in 1981 to champion mental health advocacy, human rights, and care for the suffering. Their legacy is being managed by their grandson, Jason, who now chairs the Carter Center board. Jason called his late grandmother “the glue” and “by far the best politician” of their family. “She was the personal caretaker in so many ways for so many of us, including me personally, at many different times in my life,” he said on the Politically Georgia podcast recently. “It is so much easier for me to talk about her and him as sort of global leaders, as people who’ve done amazing things, than it is for me to process the personal side of this for right now.”