Reflections of Mirth, Flowers, and Emotion: Reflecting on the Legacy of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

According to CNN --

 Rosalynn Carter was highly regarded worldwide for her involvement in humanitarian activities and her role as a supportive and reliable partner to her husband of 77 years, the ex-President Jimmy Carter.

 At the tribute service for her in Atlanta on Tuesday, her family fondly recalled the former first lady who passed away on November 19 at age 96. They remembered her as an individual who had a great love for people, a hero, an explorer, and a "cool grandma" who practised Tai Chi with a sword. This was according to her grandson, Jason Carter.

 Beginning and concluding in Plains, Georgia - the birthplace of both Rosalynn and Jimmy - her last excursion through her home state extended for an impressive 100 miles. Though many were gathering to pay homage and recall her life and accomplishments, the solemnity was often lightened by laughing at the humorous tales shared throughout the various memorials hosted between Monday and Wednesday.

 No one has ever had a single ill comment to make about Rosalynn Carter, according to Pastor Tony Lowden who was speaking at the private funeral held in Plains on Wednesday. He went on to mention that this was true for individuals from both the left and the right.

 Lowden noted that Rosalynn's faith was the reason why she did not venerate the donkey or the elephant, stating, "I believe she worshipped the lamb."

 This week, her memory was honored.

'Similar to that of other people's grandmothers'

 At the memorial service for Rosalynn Carter at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University, her grandson, Jason Carter, remarked that she was just like any other grandmother in the way she included mayonnaise in her recipes and put in $20 bills in her birthday cards - even for her adult grandchildren.

 Jason, aged 45, evoked laughter from the audients when he shared his story of his grandmother's kind-heartedness, for she had provided food not just to her family, but also to strangers, using only the $20 bill she had.

 Jason reminisced on one of their trips, "We were all in the rear of the Delta aircraft flying from here to some other place. Suddenly, my grandmother pulled out a Tupperware full of pimento cheese and a loaf of bread, and she started making sandwiches."

 Jason reported that Rosalynn had not just shared sandwiches with her grandchildren, but had gone beyond that.

 A casket bearing the body of Rosalynn Carter was received Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta. A military team took part in the solemn occasion, as captured in a photograph taken by Mike Stewart for the Associated Press.

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 The legacy of former first lady Rosalynn Carter was honored in a tribute service by those who were loved by her, paying tribute to her faith in them and her care for them.

 On November 27th, 2023, a memorial service was held to honor the legacy of Rosalynn Carter. The event was attended by past and present members of the Carter family, as well as close friends and colleagues. Throughout the ceremony, people shared stories and memories of how Rosalynn had touched their lives and made a lasting impression. Speeches and tributes to Rosalynn were filled with admiration and respect for the humanitarian and civil rights leader. Her legacy of service and advocacy for a more just and equitable society were celebrated at the memorial.

 He remarked that when Rosalynn Carter began handing out the sandwiches to her fellow passengers, they were astounded. "People couldn't believe it," he said, "but she genuinely cared for them."

 Her grandson, Josh Carter, noted his grandmother's deep affection for her family, especially the youngest members.

 At Wednesday's private funeral service, Josh Carter declared that his grandmother was overjoyed each time a new baby was welcomed into the family, eager to interact with them.

 At the Carter Center, where my grandparents would welcome presidents and different global figures, my mom, already in her eighties, would get down on the floor and play with the babies, including the game of peekaboo.

'One who loves to explore, journey, and scale mountains'

 The attendees laughed as Josh Carter described how Rosalynn Carter, not a person to shy away from an exciting experience, was all smiles when she rode her favorite, the Tower of Terror, in Disney World. The Secret Service agents behind her looked like they could be feeling ill.

 James Earl "Chip" Carter III looked back on his days as a second grader at Plains High School. He remembered on Tuesday that the school hosted a donkey basketball game fundraiser, in which Rosalynn took part in.

 He recounted how his mother, his hero, had managed to make the winning two points. She had ridden her donkey at its slowest speed right up to the goal, spun around, and caught the pass. "That night she became my hero, and she has remained one ever since," he added.

 At a tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta, Amy Carter addressed the crowd in honor of her mother and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, as seen in this photograph from AP Photo/Andrew Harnik.

 Jason Carter recollected his grandmother as a person who adored danger and exploration, one who scaled mountains and took up skiing at the age of 60 and kept on skiing for the succeeding 25 years.

 Jason recounted that Rosalynn spent her life fishing in trout streams from Georgia to Wyoming, and from Venezuela to Siberia. Through her adventurous lifestyle with her naval officer husband, she had the chance to visit more than 120 countries.

 Jason said that his grandmother had the audacity to climb mountains such as Kilimanjaro and Fuji, and that his grandmother's role as a strong support system for their family may have prepared Rosalynn to take on such a challenge.

 Jason affirms that the woman he is referring to, who had gone to Everest base camp in Nepal, was probably hoping that she could climb the mountain. He is sure that based on her behavior, she could have accomplished the task.

A staunch proponent of mental wellbeing

Rosalynn and her family have highlighted the decades of hard work she put into reforming mental health, as well as the Carter Center she and her husband initiated to battle the stigma attached to mental illness.

 Jason Carter commented that the 50-year journey that she took to promote mental health awareness was quite astonishing. He then continued to explain that if one considers how much our society has grown in terms of understanding mental health in the last five years, it is quite remarkable that she chose to take on the challenge of eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness in 1970. This was a huge effort on her part that ended up changing and saving lives, including his own family.

 Josh Carter noted that when people viewed mental illness as a sign of character deficiency, Rosalynn worked hard to abolish the judgement and approach it like any other medical condition that can be diagnosed and treated.

 He noted that she developed initiatives such as advocating for mental health parity and educating journalists about how to report on mental health issues. According to him, she saw those suffering from mental health issues as individuals with dreams and aspirations who deserved to be loved.

'A masterful practitioner of hula dancing'

 At Wednesday's funeral service, the Carter family adorned themselves with leis in tribute to the time Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter spent in Hawaii when he was in the Navy, according to Matthew De Galan, spokesperson for the Carter Center.

 De Galan reported that Rosalynn acquired the skill of hula dancing while living in Hawaii and was victorious in a hula dancing competition. Josh Carter referred to his grandmother as a "superstar hula dancer".

 Chip Carter stated that despite having dementia, his mother still had her agile movements even in her later years.

 On Tuesday, Chip shared during the tribute that his mum had been conversing with his spouse, Becky, about her experiences living in Hawaii. She even mentioned mastering all of the traditional dances.

 He recounted that she arose from the sofa, leaving her walker aside - something she was unable to take a step without - and then did the hula for a couple of minutes.

 My wife was present when the elderly woman took hold of her walker, rotated her body, then settled back on the couch; and with a satisfied smile she remarked, "Now that's how it's done!"

 At the tribute service held at the Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, journalist Judy Woodruff paused at the casket of the late first lady Rosalynn Carter. In her speech, Woodruff recalled the many important roles Carter played such as lobbying lawmakers, campaigning for her husband, and attending Cabinet meetings. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson).

'A person who can be trusted and leaned upon for advice'

When Judy Woodruff, a journalist, encountered Rosalynn Carter in 1970 as she was reporting on Jimmy Carter's gubernatorial campaign, Woodruff observed how Carter was redefining the role of first lady.

 Woodruff reported that Rosalynn attended cabinet meetings to gain more knowledge about topics that she held dear.

 On Tuesday, Woodruff commented that it was apparent that the First Lady had taken on a role that went beyond the customary hospitality of a host, and had become a reliable and trustworthy confidant to the President. In short, she had become an extension of him.

 Woodruff remembered how Rosalynn went on a diplomatic excursion to the Caribbean, Central, and South America when the Carter administration first began. She was desirous to keep Jimmy informed about the issues that were occurring, particularly those concerning human rights, Woodruff mentioned.

 The journalist who was on the tour recounted how the Latin leaders' expressions had changed once they understood they were interacting with a formidable figure representing the President of the United States: someone who was thoroughly informed and had been prepared for the trip. Any doubts that she would be disregarded were quickly dispelled. 

Jimmy Carter's beloved one was his true love.

The only daughter of Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter, Amy Lynn Carter, mentioned on Tuesday that her mother had "spent much of her life in love with my dad". Amy added that the couple's partnership and their love story was a significant part of Rosalynn's life. The two married in 1946.

 At 99 years old, Jimmy Carter is unable to communicate verbally, so Amy Lynn presented a letter he had written to his wife 75 years ago while in the Navy.

 Whenever I am not with you, I'm always delighted to come back and find out how amazing you are, my beloved.

 I attempt to tell myself that you are not as wonderful as I recall when I am not around.

 Whenever I'm in your presence, I'm filled with a newfound adoration for you. Does that sound odd? Not to me. Farewell, beloved. Till we meet again. Jimmy.

 This report was aided by Alta Spells and Elise Hammond from CNN.

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