Former President Jimmy Carter and dignitaries from across the United States gathered in Atlanta on Tuesday to pay their respects to former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96. The memorial service took place at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University and was attended by all living U.S. first ladies and multiple presidents.

Former President Carter, who is 99 years old and receiving hospice care at home, made a rare public appearance at the service. He sat in a wheelchair, with his daughter Amy holding his hand, while his other three children, Jeff, Chip, and Jack, sat beside him. Former President Biden and first lady Jill Biden, longtime friends of the Carters, were also present.

Former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with former first ladies Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush, paid their respects as well. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty Kemp were also in attendance. Former Presidents Trump, Obama, and Bush were invited but did not attend.

The memorial service began with a tribute from Chip Carter, the son of the Carters, who spoke about his mother's role in holding their family together throughout the ups and downs of their political journey. He described her as the “glue” that kept them united.

The service featured performances by country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who were close friends of the Carters. They performed at the invitation-only tribute.

Former President Carter's participation in the events had been uncertain, but the Carter Center confirmed his plans to attend the Tuesday service. It was his first public appearance since September, when he and Rosalynn Carter participated in the Plains Peanut Festival parade.

Rosalynn Carter was known for her advocacy work, particularly in the areas of mental health care and caregiving. She spent her life working alongside her husband on humanitarian projects and was a passionate advocate for destigmatizing mental illness. She was praised for her contributions to improving mental health care in America and for bringing attention to the millions of unpaid caregivers in U.S. households.

The ceremonies honoring Rosalynn Carter began on Monday in her hometown of Plains, Georgia, where she lay in repose at The Jimmy Carter Presidential Center. The motorcade traveled from Plains to Atlanta, making stops at Georgia Southwestern State University, where officials laid wreaths at a bronze statue dedicated to her. The repose service was held at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.

On Tuesday morning, a departure ceremony took place at the Carter Presidential Center before Rosalynn Carter's motorcade headed to Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University for the private tribute service. Vice President Kamala Harris, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens were also present at the service. Rosalynn Carter's grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers.

The tribute service featured some of Rosalynn Carter's favorite scripture passages and songs. Country musicians Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed at the service. On Wednesday morning, a private funeral service for family and invited friends was scheduled to take place at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where the Carters lived since leaving the White House.

Members of the public had the opportunity to view the Carter family motorcade as it left the Carter Presidential Center and as it left the church, according to the Carter family. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to the Carter Center Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.

Rosalynn Carter's advocacy work and her lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes were remembered and celebrated by family members and leaders from across the United States. She was praised for her compassion and strength in advocating for those in need. In partnership with her husband, she worked to improve mental health care, established the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, and traveled the world promoting peace and human rights.

Former President Jimmy Carter, who emerged from hospice care to honor his late wife, said, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."

The memorial service was a reflection of Rosalynn Carter's simple elegance and her preference for substance over glitz. It was a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to serving others and making a difference in the world.