Plains, Georgia - Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady who passed away at the age of 96 on November 19, was remembered and celebrated in an intimate funeral held in her hometown of Plains. The funeral took place at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Rosalynn and her husband Jimmy Carter had spent countless years welcoming guests and where a wooden cross crafted by Jimmy Carter himself is displayed.

Former President Jimmy Carter, now 99 years old and in hospice care, attended the funeral in a wheelchair, wearing a dark suit and tie as he bid farewell to his wife of 77 years. The service was led by Maranatha Pastor Tony Lowden, who highlighted Rosalynn Carter's dedication to serving humanity, both within and outside the walls of the church.

Describing her as someone who embraced the teachings of Jesus Christ, Lowden recounted Rosalynn's belief in an afterlife and her competitive nature, suggesting that she would say, "'Jimmy tried to beat me here. I got here first. I won the prize. Tell him I beat him and I'm waiting on him.'" He emphasized her call to continue fighting for important causes such as helping the homeless and striving for equal rights.

Following the funeral service, the Carter family accompanied Rosalynn's casket to the burial plot where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Prior to the hometown funeral, tributes were held in nearby Americus and in Atlanta, where dignitaries, including two other former presidents and all living first ladies, gathered to pay their respects.

Residents of Plains and nearby areas also paid tribute to the former first lady, lining the motorcade route to show their support. Vernita Sampson, a school bus driver from Plains, expressed how Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were relatable figures, having never presented themselves as superior. Sampson noted that despite the sadness of death, there is solace in knowing that Rosalynn lived a fulfilling and productive life.

At the funeral service, family members shared affectionate stories, highlighting Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter's partnership and their shared love for Hawaii, where they lived during their Navy years. Rosalynn Carter's impact, originating from the small town of Plains with a population of about 600, extended not only to America but also to the developing world. She was a prominent advocate for mental health care, caregivers, and various humanitarian causes, fighting against disease, famine, and the mistreatment of women and girls worldwide.

The funeral events in Atlanta reflected Rosalynn's significant contributions, with her casket being displayed at her husband's presidential library, adjacent to The Carter Center that they established. The service featured performances by a symphony chorus, a majestic pipe organ, and musical appearances by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, fellow ambassadors of Habitat for Humanity. Notable figures such as President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and the first ladies joined the Carter family in paying their respects.

In contrast to the grandeur of the Atlanta service, the Plains funeral underscored the simplicity and steadfastness which characterized Rosalynn Carter's life. Maranatha Baptist Church, tucked away in the outskirts of Plains, lacks the opulence of powerful organs but instead features the wooden cross crafted by Jimmy Carter and offering plates made on his lathe. The intimate sanctuary can seat only a limited number of people, and congregants were seen wearing casual attire.

Rosalynn Carter's resilience was a recurring theme during the funeral. Her unwavering determination was evident, especially when her husband faced defeat in the 1980 presidential election. Despite initially thinking that the best part of their lives was over, Rosalynn found renewed purpose through the establishment of The Carter Center and their work on human rights.

Among those who worked closely with Rosalynn, her correct pronunciation of her name, 'ROSE-lyn,' became a memorable anecdote. Elaine Larkin, who worked at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, recalled a moment when Rosalynn quietly asked for assistance in correcting the mispronunciation.

Following the funeral, family members accompanied Jimmy Carter, who was seated in an SUV, while Rosalynn's casket was carried through the town of Plains for the last time. The motorcade passed significant landmarks, including the old high school where Rosalynn was valedictorian, Plains Baptist Church where the couple advocated for racial integration, and the commercial district where they ran their peanut business. The route concluded at the Carter compound, where their one-story ranch house and the burial site overlooking Jimmy Carter's front porch reside.

The funeral of Rosalynn Carter serves as a poignant reminder of her enduring legacy as a compassionate advocate for social causes and her unwavering support for her husband throughout their remarkable lives together.

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