Jimmy Carter made a rare public appearance at the memorial for his late, longtime wife Rosalynn Carter earlier this week, dressed in a dark suit and tie.
The former president entered hospice care back in February after refusing further treatment, and was on hand to help his wife through her final hours of life before she passed away.
As per reports, Carter sat in his wheelchair, flanked by his children as the ceremony for Rosalynn took place at the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta.
Speaking prior to the memorial, Jimmy and Rosalynn’s grandson Jason Carter offered an update on his grandfather’s condition, insisting that the 39th President of the United States might not have too long left
Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter had spent virtually their entire lives together since first meeting as children in the town of Plains, Georgia.
It was fitting, then, that the pair were with one another during the final hours of Rosalynn’s life on Saturday, November 19. The former First Lady’s death was no huge surprise – she was 96 after all – but her time on Earth has been widely celebrated by thousands since her passing.
According to reports, Rosalynn passed away at her home in Plains, Georgia at 2:10 p.m. on November 19. The former First Lady served in the White House alongside her husband between 1977 and 1981 but continued to carry out humanitarian work in the years following through the Carter Center.
Sadly, both Rosalynn and Jimmy’s health waned over the course of the past year. Jimmy Carter entered hospice care back in February after turning down medical intervention for a number of health issues.
With Rosalynn now gone, the main consensus is that Jimmy’s condition could take a steep turn for the worse.
Indeed, his grandson Jason Carter appeared to confirm as much while speaking to the New York Post prior to Rosalynn’s memorial service.
“He’s coming to the end, and he’s very, very physically diminished,” said.
“He has been this moral rock for so many people, but she really was that rock for him.”
During the touching memorial service for Rosalynn, the couple’s daughter, Amy Carter, read a letter from Jimmy that he had sent to his wife while he was away serving in the Navy.
“My darling, every time I’ve ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are,” he wrote. “When I see you, I fall in love all over again.”
Rest in peace, Rosalynn Carter. Here’s to sending prayers to the Carter family.
