Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his dear friends and family have finally said their goodbyes to Rosalynn Carter in a heartwarming memorial service that brought tears to everyone’s eyes.
The private ceremony was held in the small town of Plains, Georgia where the Carters have lived for decades. The solemn occasion saw President Carter eulogize his late wife with words of love and admiration, leaving none of the guests dry-eyed.
Mrs. Carter passed away at the ripe age of 94 on November 14 at the Carter Center in Atlanta after a long and fulfilling life. She was by her husband’s side throughout his tumultuous presidency and was a long-time humanitarian and advocate for mental health.
The Carters had been married for an incredible 76 years, which is practically unheard of in this day and age where most marriages disintegrate faster than cotton candy. Old age, it seems, could not diminish the power of their love, which was evident in President Carter’s emotional tribute.
“I thought I was going to die first,” the 96-year-old president said in his speech. “But Rosalynn beat me to it, and I don’t know why.”
Perhaps it was because she couldn’t bear to be without her beloved Jimmy, or maybe she just wanted to remind him that he is not invincible, whatever the reason, her passing has left a gaping hole in his life.
Former Vice President Al Gore, who attended the service, reflected that Rosalynn Carter’s life demonstrated “the importance of helping people who are often overlooked and forgotten.”
Indeed, Mrs. Carter’s philanthropic work is one of her most enduring legacies. She co-founded the Carter Center, aimed at promoting peace and resolving conflicts globally, and the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Fund, which sought to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
The intimate setting of the funeral was conducive for close friends, who took turns to share what Mrs. Carter meant to them. Her lifelong friends described her as “graceful,” “dedicated,” and “classy,” adding that she always put the needs of others before her own.
Their touching reminiscences highlighted that Mrs. Carter’s warmth and kindness were not limited to her family.
“She remembered details about everyone’s lives that made us feel special,” one guest shared.
It is a testament to the kind of person she was that even those who were not related to her by blood felt like family in her presence.
The funeral was as much an opportunity to reflect on a life well-lived as it was a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life. For President Carter, it was a final farewell to his wife of 76 years, who was his constant companion on an incredible journey.
Despite the melancholic tone of the occasion, the service provided some comfort to the bereaved guests, reminding them that Mrs. Carter’s spirit will live on in their hearts forever.
The nation has lost a giant, but President Carter and his family have lost someone much more significant. Nonetheless, we take comfort in the fact that Mrs. Carter’s legacy will always remain, signifying the struggles for peace and mental health rights.
