By Kate Scanlon
OSV News
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter – remembered as a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving and women’s rights – died Nov. 19 at her home in Plains, Georgia. The former first lady died peacefully, with family by her side, according to a statement from The Carter Center. She was 96.
Rosalynn Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, who is now 99. In a statement, the former president said, “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished.”
“She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it,” he said. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
Rosalynn Carter was a key surrogate in Jimmy Carter’s political campaigns and an advocate for mental health programs.
Noteworthy aspects of her tenure as first lady include becoming the first woman to hold that position to take up her own active office in the East Wing of the White House. The Carters also were the first presidential couple to welcome a pope to the White House, when Pope John Paul II visited them there on Oct. 6, 1979.
In addition to her husband, Carter is survived by her children Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by another grandson, Jeremy Carter, who died in 2015.
Chip Carter, her son, said in a statement, “Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary first lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right.”
“Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans,” he said. “She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.”
Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where the Carters were active members, shared in a social media post their “deep grief at the loss of our dear friend and fellow congregant.”
“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,” the church posted to Facebook. “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.”
The Carters were devout Baptists and participated in programs including Habitat for Humanity following their time in the White House.
“Mrs. Carter has helped change the lives of thousands of homeowners, empowered countless women and inspired millions of people. Over the years, she has blessed us with her compassion for serving others and commitment to improving housing conditions,” Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International’s CEO, said in a statement. “The Carters lent a hand to Habitat for Humanity as a young, fledging organization and created global awareness of our work and of our mission. We are grateful for the incredible impact she and President Carter have had on Habitat and on the families who have benefited from their shining example.”
Ceremonies honoring the life of Rosalynn Carter will take place Nov. 27-29, in Atlanta and Sumter County, Georgia, The Carter Center said. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects at the repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
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