Adorned in a snappy suit and covered in a blanket, Jimmy Carter was wheeled into the funeral of his late wife Rosalynn on Tuesday, taking his seat right at the front of the proceedings to say goodbye to his wife of over 77 years.
The 99-year-old is currently in hospice care but made the two-and-a-half-hour journey to Atlanta from his home in Plains, Georgia, to attend the event. His wife’s remains had been carried to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum on Monday.
Also in attendance at the event were President Joe Biden and his wife, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. All the other former first ladies were invited, including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Melania Trump and Laura Bush. All attended as well and were pictured entering Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon in a line.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Chip Carter, the former president’s son, said his father had been with Rosalynn during her final moments, telling her he loved her and that he was proud of all the “wonderful things she had done” in her life.
She was known for being a staunch advocate for mental health awareness and better services for the mentally ill. She fought tooth and nail to reduce the stigma behind mental health.
On Nov. 18, the day before Rosalynn’s death, Jimmy allegedly asked for a moment alone with his wife, and Chip said he was likely praying with her in their private chamber, where his own hospice bed had been lined up foot-to-foot so they could look at each other.