Remembering Jimmy Carter (1924-2024) and Rosalynn Carter (1927-2023)
Statement on the Passing of Jimmy Carter
It is with sad, yet hopeful hearts, we share the passing away of our long-serving Sunday School teacher and congregant, and faithful family member, neighbor, and friend, Jimmy Carter. He was a man compelled to live in the footsteps of Jesus, with hands of peace and a heart of love for all of Creation.
We are comforted to know he is reunited with his wife of 77 years and our friend, Rosalynn.
“… to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8
President Carter’s funeral service will be observed at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, on Thursday January 9, 2025. This is a private service; attendance is by invitation only.
Additional information:
The Carter family invites members of the public to pay their respects at the repose at the Carter Presidential Center, at the U.S. Capitol, and to view the family motorcade. Guidance on the motorcade routes and repose, and locations for condolence books, can be found here: jimmycartertribute.org. Find the full schedule of memorial events here.
In lieu of flowers, the Carter family requests that you consider a contribution to The Carter Center. A memorial gift can be made online here.
JIMMY CARTER PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Photo 1: Former President Jimmy Carter greeting congregants at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, May 2021. President Carter served as the church’s Sunday School teacher from 1981, the year he returned home to Plains from the White House, until the end of 2019. Photo Credit: Chris Cameron/Nashville, TN
Photo 2: Former President Jimmy Carter greets members of his church’s congregation and visitors from around the world during his weekly Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. President Carter served as the church’s Sunday School teacher from 1981, the year he returned home to Plains from the White House, until the end of 2019. Photo Credit: The Dallas Morning News
Photo 3: At 94, former President Jimmy Carter begins teaching the Sunday school lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church on Sunday, June 9, 2019, in Plains, Georgia. President Carter served as the church’s Sunday School teacher from 1981, the year he returned home to Plains from the White House, until the end of 2019. Photo Credit: Curtis Compton/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Statement on the Passing of Rosalynn Carter
We have few words to express our deep grief at the loss of our dear friend and fellow congregant at Maranatha Baptist Church, former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter.
Mrs. Carter, along with her husband, former President of the United States Jimmy Carter, have served as active members of the Maranatha Baptist Church congregation since leaving The White House in Washington, D.C. to return to their home in Plains in 1981.
As a member of Maranatha, Mrs. Carter has selflessly served her congregation and her community as a Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and the founder of the church’s food ministry, a monthly food distribution that now includes volunteers from across the community serving thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of local families on the third Saturday of each month.
Although she is no longer present with us on this earth, we rejoice in knowing that her fellowship is now in Heaven with her Savior and Friend, our Redeemer, Jesus.
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:22 (NIV)
Watch the entire service for Mrs. Carter above.
Mrs. Carter’s funeral service will be observed at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, on Wednesday November 29, 2023. This is a private service; attendance is by invitation only. Ceremonies will be broadcast on major television networks or you can stream it online.
Additional information:
The Carter family invites members of the public to pay their respects at the repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum and to view the family motorcade. Guidance on the motorcade routes and repose can be found here: rosalynncartertribute.org.
Condolence books will be available to sign at Georgia Southwestern State University, the Plains Welcome Center, Plains High School, and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, P.O. Box 647, Americus, GA 31709, or the Carter Center Mental Health Program, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307. Donations can be made online at rosalynncartertribute.org.
ROSALYNN CARTER PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Photo 1: Rosalynn Carter greeting congregants at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, May 2021. Mrs. Carter served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and founded the food distribution ministry helping to provide food for local families in need in her hometown of Plains.
Photo 2: Rosalynn Carter greets speaker/author Jeni Stepanek of Rockville, Maryland at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, May 2021. Mrs. Carter served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and founded the food distribution ministry helping to provide food for local families in need in her hometown of Plains.
Photo 3: Rosalynn Carter distributes food as a part of the food distribution ministry in her hometown of Plains, Georgia, May 2021. Mrs. Carter helped found the ministry, a monthly food distribution that now includes volunteers from across the community serving thousands of pounds of food to hundreds of local families on the third Saturday of each month.
Photo Credits: Chris Cameron/Nashville, TN