Jimmy Carter, 99, to attend wife Rosalynn's memorial
Published: 05:11 AM,Nov 28,2023 | EDITED : 09:11 AM,Nov 28,2023
A woman holds a photo of former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter as her body lays in repose at the Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta - Jimmy Carter, the 99-year-old former president whose lifelong love for his wife Rosalynn became a near legend in US politics, will bid farewell to her Tuesday in a ceremony also attended by President Joe Biden.
Jimmy Carter, himself in hospice care through most of this year, will make the journey from the modest home in Plains, Georgia, that he shared with Rosalynn much of their lives to the city of Atlanta.
'The current plan is for President Carter to attend the national tribute service for Rosalynn at Glenn Memorial Church,' the former first couple's charity organization, The Carter Center, said.
Rosalynn Carter died Nov 19, aged 96, just two days after joining her husband in hospice care at the house in Plains.
Celebrated as a highly active first lady who championed then little-discussed issues of mental health, Rosalynn Carter's reputation only grew, along with her husband's, once they left the White House.
Losing his 1980 reelection bid to Republican Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter was widely dismissed as a failure. However, the couple went on to build a global network of charity activities and earned plaudits for their humble lifestyle.
Rosalynn Carter's memorial began Monday when past and present agents from the US Secret Service, which guards presidential families, escorted her coffin to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.
The public was invited to pay last respects.
On Tuesday, ceremonies will take place at Glenn Memorial Church, with grandchildren carrying the coffin and Biden, along with all living first ladies, in attendance.
According to the Carter Center, guests will include First Lady Jill Biden, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush. Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff and former president Bill Clinton will also be there, according to the published list. The more private funeral on Wednesday in Plains will inevitably shift attention to Jimmy Carter, who is the oldest living US ex-president in history. Presidential funeral services typically are attended by all living presidents -- Carter attended the Washington Memorial for George W. Bush in 2018 -- providing a rare moment for unity across parties and generations.
Jimmy Carter, himself in hospice care through most of this year, will make the journey from the modest home in Plains, Georgia, that he shared with Rosalynn much of their lives to the city of Atlanta.
'The current plan is for President Carter to attend the national tribute service for Rosalynn at Glenn Memorial Church,' the former first couple's charity organization, The Carter Center, said.
Rosalynn Carter died Nov 19, aged 96, just two days after joining her husband in hospice care at the house in Plains.
Celebrated as a highly active first lady who championed then little-discussed issues of mental health, Rosalynn Carter's reputation only grew, along with her husband's, once they left the White House.
Losing his 1980 reelection bid to Republican Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter was widely dismissed as a failure. However, the couple went on to build a global network of charity activities and earned plaudits for their humble lifestyle.
Rosalynn Carter's memorial began Monday when past and present agents from the US Secret Service, which guards presidential families, escorted her coffin to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.
The public was invited to pay last respects.
On Tuesday, ceremonies will take place at Glenn Memorial Church, with grandchildren carrying the coffin and Biden, along with all living first ladies, in attendance.
According to the Carter Center, guests will include First Lady Jill Biden, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush. Vice President Kamala Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff and former president Bill Clinton will also be there, according to the published list. The more private funeral on Wednesday in Plains will inevitably shift attention to Jimmy Carter, who is the oldest living US ex-president in history. Presidential funeral services typically are attended by all living presidents -- Carter attended the Washington Memorial for George W. Bush in 2018 -- providing a rare moment for unity across parties and generations.