Former President Jimmy Carter is expected to attend his wife Rosalynn’s memorial service Tuesday in Atlanta. The former president will be joined by a host of dignitaries, including President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, for the service on the Emory University campus.
Tuesday’s service at Glenn Memorial Church is for invited guests only, but the general public had a chance to bid a final farewell to the former first lady during several observances on Monday.
Members of Mrs. Carter’s family traveled in a motorcade from downtown Plains to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, where former members of her U.S. Secret Service protection detail served as honorary pallbearers during a brief departure ceremony.
The motorcade proceeded to Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. There, university President Neal Weaver and Jennifer Olsen, CEO of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, laid wreaths before a statue of Mrs. Carter in a brief public ceremony.
The ceremony began three days of observances honoring the former first lady, who passed away on Nov. 19 at the age of 96.
As the the motorcade escorted Carter’s body to Atlanta from Americus, people lined the streets and interstates to pay their respects. Some waved American flags as the motorcade passed by.
The processional passed through Macon, arriving at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Libary and Museum around 2:30 p.m. Monday.
Carter’s body to lie in repose
Rosalynn Carter’s body is lying in repose at the presidential library until 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27.
During the repose service, Carter Center Chief Executive Officer Paige Alexander spoke glowingly of the former first lady as a humanitarian, helpmate to her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, and advocate for mental health reform.
“From the time Jimmy Carter thought, ‘I want to create a Camp David in the middle of Atlanta,’ Rosalynn Carter was his full and equal partner,” said Alexander. “Her compassion, her ability to connect, her political savvy, was something that helped build support for all of our programs over the last 40 years.”
“When asked what she wanted to be remembered for, she said, ‘I would like people to understand that I took advantage of the opportunities I was given and did the best that I could.’ Mrs. Carter did more than that, and we will miss her terribly,” said Alexander.
Former Carter Center CEO Dr. John Hardman described Rosalynn Carter as “selfless, caring, and kind.”
“She was down to earth, generally interested in others, and tirelessly working to improve lives around the world,” he said.
WATCH Arrival ceremony
Other former first ladies to attend memorial service
After the memorial service in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Carter’s body will be returned to her hometown of Plains for a private funeral and burial on Wednesday.
Jason Carter told reporters his grandfather is planning to attend Tuesday’s tribute in Atlanta. Other joining him will include Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff as well as former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump will also attend.
Services will be livestreamed on social media and carried on television. Check your local listings.
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