Sorority of living first ladies among dignitaries at Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service in Atlanta

Although they did not have speaking roles, their collective presence served as a profound sendoff and underscored the bond these women collectively share as five current and former First Ladies attended the memorial service for Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady who passed away on November 19.

In addition to President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton, First Lady Jill Biden, and former First Ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump were in attendance. The First Ladies sent a message of respect, appreciation, and dedication to their fallen sister.

Rosalynn Carter died Nov. 19 at the age of 96 at the home she shared for decades with former President and former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter. 

Despite having entered hospice care last February, former President Carter, who turned 99 last month, traveled to Atlanta from the couple’s home in Plains to attend Tuesday’s service.

The service took place at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory University campus where family, friends, and various dignitaries gathered to bid farewell to Carter, as they acknowledged her as “one of the truly good people in this world.”

Speakers at the memorial praised her commitment to various causes, including mental health, caregiving, and disease eradication in poverty-stricken countries. 

Son Chip Carter credited his mother with convincing him to enter treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, saving his life. “My mother was the glue who held the family together through the ups and downs and thicks and thins,” he said. “She believed in us and took care of us.”

Journalist Judy Woodruff, a friend of Mrs. Carter, highlighted how she revolutionized the role of first ladies in American government and politics, serving as a close and trusted advisor to the president, while longtime aide and friend Kathryn Cade spoke about Mrs. Carter’s post-Washington contributions to causes like mental health, caregiver support, childhood immunization, and issues affecting the elderly.

Grandson Jason Carter credited his grandmother with building the Carter Center “from an idea into a powerhouse for human rights.”

Daughter Amy Carter read from a love letter written by President Jimmy Carter to his wife 75 years ago. The couple had been married for 77 years.

Political leaders from Georgia were in attendance including Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, and U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was laid to rest the next day in a private ceremony at her family’s home in Plains, Georgia.