On Tuesday, Rosalynn Carter's family and loved ones attended a tribute service in Atlanta at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, sharing the former first lady's legacy as an advocate of humanitarian projects and a loving wife to former President Jimmy Carter.
Her loved ones honored the lasting legacy that she left behind as she lived her life working on mental health reform and destigmatizing mental illness.
Rosalynn Carter's Loved Ones Attend Tribute Service
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump attended the tribute service and spoke of her remarkable journey.
Jimmy Carter was seated in the front row of the Atlanta church, and he could not deliver remarks due to his physical condition. Grandson Jason Carter and daughter Amy Lynn Carter spoke for him, holding her father's hand during the service.
Amy said, "My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad." She added that her parents' love story was a defining feature of her life.
She shared a letter Jimmy wrote to Rosalynn 75 years ago: "My darling, every time I have ever been away from you, I've been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are."
The former president said that whenever he sees her, he falls in love again. James Earl "Chip" Carter, son of Rosalynn, said during the service that his mother was the glue that held their family together through the ups and downs of their family's politics.
James said Rosalynn believed in them and took care of them. He added that his mother was informed of ongoing topics during their father's presidency and could always speak with authority on issues worldwide.
Rosalynn mostly enjoyed meeting various people across the country during Jimmy's presidency. James shared that his mother played a significant role in helping him get treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and saved her life.
Kathryn Cade, Rosalynn Carter's longtime aide, acknowledged the former first lady's compassion and empathy for those suffering, saying it was boundless, as well as her passion for action.
On Wednesday morning, a private funeral service for family and friends was scheduled at the Carters' beloved Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where the couple had lived since their return from the White House in 1981.
Read Also : California Man Sentenced to Over 7 Years After Scamming Jewish Community Out of $7 Million Investment
Rosalynn Carter's Legacy
Rosalynn passionately advocated for several causes, including mental health and caregiving. Cade described her as a remarkable woman, wife, mother, business manager, political strategist, diplomat, advocate, and author.
She started to fight against racial discrimination from a young age, advocated for the Equal Rights Amendment, and worked to ensure women were represented in government.
Some issues that she worked on were mental health reform, providing support for caregivers, childhood immunization, problems faced by the elderly, and addressing neglected tropical diseases. She worked on these issues inside and outside the White House.
Related Article : Former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter Dies at 96; Cause of Death Revealed
