Former President Jimmy Carter, age 99, made a rare public appearance to say goodbye to his beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on November 19 at the age of 96. Despite his ailing health and being in hospice care since February, Carter attended Rosalynn’s memorial service at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta. The ceremony was attended by past and present presidents and first ladies, including Joe and Jill Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush.

As Carter was wheeled into the church in his chair, all eyes were on him. This was his first public appearance since September, when he celebrated his 99th birthday with Rosalynn at the annual Plains Peanut Festival. The couple, who had been married for 77 years, held hands and waved to the crowd, showing their enduring love and affection.

During the memorial service, Carter wore a black suit with a white shirt and was covered by a white blanket adorned with a portrait of him and Rosalynn. The blanket also featured images of dogwood flowers, a symbol of Georgia, and illustrations representing their life in Plains. The couple met in Plains days after Rosalynn’s birth and continued to live there after their time in the White House.

Carter sat with his family in the front pew, holding the hands of his children, Chip and Amy, who in turn tightly held the hands of their brothers, Jeff and Jack. Chip paid tribute to his mother by calling her the glue that held their family together through all the ups and downs of their family’s politics. Amy shared a heartfelt love letter written by her father 75 years ago while he served in the Navy, expressing their enduring love for each other.

Journalist Judy Woodruff also attended the service and praised Rosalynn Carter’s influential role as the first lady, stating that without her, there would not have been a President Carter. The ceremonies for Rosalynn began with a wreath-laying at Georgia Southwestern State University’s Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex, followed by the funeral service for family and friends at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.

The legacy of Rosalynn Carter will forever be remembered, and her loving relationship with Jimmy Carter serves as an inspiration to all. As we honor her memory, let us reflect on our favorite memories of Rosalynn and the impact she had on our lives.