Gathering of US Presidents and First Ladies to Honor Rosalynn Carter
US presidents and dignitaries will unite in Atlanta to honor Rosalynn Carter's enduring legacy of advocacy during a private tribute service Join us to witness this historic gathering
Leaders from across the United States will travel to Atlanta on Tuesday to pay their respects to Rosalynn Carter at a private tribute service. This service is one of several planned ceremonies to honor the former first lady, which will take place through Wednesday. Attendees are anticipated to include President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and former First Ladies Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.
Former President Jimmy Carter, now 99 and under hospice care at home, is expected to attend the Atlanta service.
Rosalynn Carter, who dedicated much of her life to humanitarian work alongside her husband and was a strong advocate for mental health reform and removing the stigma from mental illness, passed away on November 19 at the age of 96. Her family stated that she had entered hospice care two days before her death. In May, they revealed that she had been diagnosed with dementia.
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter speaks at a summit aimed at improving mental health services in Georgia on Friday, May 18, 2012, at the Carter Center in Atlanta.
David Goldman/AP
Opinion: Rosalynn Carters legacy changed my life
Ceremonies commemorating the life and legacy of Rosalynn Carter commenced in Georgia on Monday. A motorcade journeyed from her hometown of Plains to Atlanta, where she lay in repose for several hours as hundreds came to pay their respects. Along the way, the motorcade made brief stops, including at her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University, where officials laid wreaths at a bronze statue dedicated to her.
Monday evening saw the solemn reposing service at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta. The following morning, a departure ceremony will be held at the Carter Presidential Center before Rosalynn Carter's motorcade travels to Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University for a private tribute service.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens are all anticipated to be in attendance. The Carter Center announced that Rosalynn Carter's surviving grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In this June 9, 1977 file photo, President Jimmy Carter waves as he departs the First Baptist Church in Washington with daughter Amy and daughter-in-law Caron Carter.
Anonymous/AP
After brokering a peace deal, Jimmy Carter led a Bible class. The event is set to include Rosalynn Carter's beloved verses and songs, as stated by the center. Country singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who have worked on Habitat for Humanity projects in recognition of the Carters, are anticipated to take the stage.
How to watch
On Wednesday morning, a private funeral service for family and invited friends is set to occur at the cherished Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where the Carters have lived since their departure from the White House in 1981.
The Carter family has requested that instead of flowers, donations are made to the Carter Center Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. While the ceremony on Tuesday is private, the public can view the Carter family motorcade as it departs from the Carter Presidential Center in the morning and from the church in the afternoon.
Condolence books are also available to sign at Georgia Southwestern State University, the Plains Welcome Center, Plains High School and at the Carter Presidential Center.
On Monday, November 27, members of the public gathered at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta to honor the late former first lady Rosalynn Carter as she lies in repose.
Shannon Boone, a resident of Atlanta, was present at the repose service on Monday for the late first lady. "She made significant contributions in the field of mental illness and in aiding international communities," Boone remarked. "She was a truly authentic and compassionate individual who utilized her influence to improve the world."
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Vincent Wimbush, a resident of Atlanta, reflected on how the late individual he knew had influenced his perception of mental health challenges and dialogue. He expressed gratitude for the former president's candid discussions on equality and racial justice, which had made a deep impact on him.
TV journalists report from outside the Carter Center in Atlanta on Monday.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Atlanta resident Vickye Terry paid her respects on Monday and took a moment to share her thoughts about the former first lady. "She was a strong support to her husband and served as a great representative for him," Terry commented. "Her compassion was just as notable as his."
Dora Moore, who hails from Chicago, expressed her deep admiration for the Carters dating back to their time in the White House. She shared, "When I heard of Mrs. Carter's passing, I felt compelled to be here, to join the crowd and stroll through the Center. ... She was an exceptional individual in every sense. Whether as first lady, wife, mother, or grandmother, she exuded a quiet strength. Every time I saw hernot necessarily in personit seemed she grew even stronger as the years went by. She was someone I truly looked up to."
Austin Steele/CNN
Flowers are left for the former first lady outside the Carter Presidential Center on Monday.
Austin Steele/CNN
A military team carries Carter's casket after it arrived in Atlanta on Monday.
Mike Stewart/Pool/AP
A person waits before the former first lady would lie in repose Monday in Atlanta.
Brynn Anderson/Pool/AP
Members of the media cover the arrival of Carter's casket in Atlanta on Monday.
Austin Steele/CNN
The Carter family members observe Rosalynn's casket as it is brought to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library on Monday. Amy Carter, the daughter of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, is seen on the left wearing a necklace. Also present on the right are Jack and Chip, two of the Carters' sons, while their other son Jeff was also in attendance, though not shown in the photo.
Photo credit: Mike Stewart/Pool/AP
Speaking to CNN ahead of Rosalynn's arrival in Atlanta on Monday, Jason Sheedy, a close friend of the Carters from California, described her as one of the most kind, compassionate, and genuine individuals one could ever meet. "She just had so much ability to affect people all over the world," Sheedy said, citing her work to support those struggling with mental health issues and her role in founding the Carter Center.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Rosalynn's motorcade drives down John Lewis Freedom Parkway in Atlanta on Monday.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
The Rosalynn Carter statue was featured at the wreath-laying ceremony on Monday at the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Services Complex, located on the grounds of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia. The motorcade made a stop in Americus before continuing on to Atlanta.
John Bazemore/Pool/AP
Former and current Secret Service agents assigned to the Carter detail carry her casket at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus on Monday.
Alex Brandon/Pool/AP
Saying goodbye to Rosalynn Carter
Prev
Next
A lifetime of advocacy
Since her passing, Rosalynn Carter has been remembered by family members and leaders throughout the United States as an unwavering humanitarian and a dedicated champion for various causes, such as mental health and caregiving.
"Rosalynn Carter's profound empathy for people everywhere and her relentless advocacy on their behalf impacted lives globally. We have received an outpouring of support from thousands of individuals following her departure," her family stated last week. "Thank you all for coming together to honor the incredible legacy she leaves behind, not just for us, but for all of humanity."
Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady of the United States, is captured in a portrait taken in New York City, New York, on Friday, September 23, 2011. Carter was part of a group of nearly a dozen current and former first ladies who came together to discuss strategies for expanding their leadership capabilities as part of the RAND African First Ladies Initiative.
Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Rosalynn Carter, mental health activist, humanitarian and former first lady, dies at 96
Rosalynn Carter and her husband worked together to advocate for improved care for individuals with mental illnesses. As Georgia's first lady, she played a key role in transitioning treatment to community mental health centers, and while in the White House, she collaborated with her husband in establishing a presidential commission on mental health. The Carters continued their commitment to world peace and human rights in their post-presidency years, dedicating themselves to the work of the nonprofit organization they established, the Carter Center.
They journeyed to various global hotspots such as Cuba, Sudan, and North Korea, where they actively monitored elections and focused on eliminating Guinea worm disease and other neglected tropical diseases.
In addition, Rosalynn Carter dedicated herself to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, which she established on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University.
The Carters celebrated over 77 years of marriage. When his wife passed away, Jimmy Carter expressed that Rosalynn was his equal partner in all his achievements. He credited her for providing wise guidance and constant support, making him feel loved and encouraged throughout their time together.
