Recently, on November 19th, at her family home in Plains, Georgia Rosalynn Carter peacefully passed away. Not only was she perceived as an iconic first lady (1977–1981), but she was also an equal and dedicated life partner to former President Jimmy Carter. She helped him become the 39th president of the United States. from just a rural veteran from Georgia. A remarkable aspect of their almost 80-year relationship was their harmonious professional and personal life. Mr. Carter even quotes Mrs. Carter as “an almost equal
extension of myself.” They were both born and raised in Plains and Mr. Carter’s mom was the nurse who delivered Mrs. Carter in 1927. They were married on July 7th, 1946, and raised
children. They received the informal title of the longest-married couple in the U.S. Aside from her personal life, Ms. Carter reinvented the role of first lady and changed lives. She was the most active in this position since Eleanor Roosevelt (1933–1945). Rosalynn was a passionate advocate for activism and mental health. She had met with queens and kings, celebrities, corporate tycoons, foreign dictators, and world leaders. But she also traveled to poverty-stricken regions and refugee camps in both Africa and Asia. She never sought to overlook her humble beginnings from small-town Georgia. And she wasn’t just a first lady or wife. She was an author, mother, adventurer, activist, diplomat, political strategist, chief campaigner, and
business manager. According to her son, James Earl Carter III, she saved his life by helping him combat an addiction. She would go across the country just to help with Mr. Crater’s campaign. And her endless dedication to the well-being of others was astounding. Throughout her life, she had traveled to 122 countries and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.
Her funeral took place on November 28th in Atlanta, Georgia. It was simple yet tasteful. Several political figures such as President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton, and even Melania Trump attended the service. One of her grandsons, Jason Carter, said, “My grandmother doesn’t need a eulogy. Her life was a sermon. It was a mighty testament to the power of faith and the power of a deep and determined love. And she lived this public love story that we all know of, that has inspired the world, including in these last days."