Jimmy Carter Wears Blanket Featuring Image of Late Wife Rosalynn's Face to Her Memorial Service
Funeral tributes for the former first lady were held in Atlanta on Nov. 28
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Jimmy Carter, 99, is paying homage to his and Rosalynn Carter's epic love story in the most touching way.
For her memorial service held in Atlanta on Tuesday morning, the former president, who has been in hospice care since February, arrived with a blanket draped across his lap that featured embroidery depicting his and Rosalynn Carter's faces.
The blanket featured illustrations of Jimmy and Rosalynn on the front along with text identifying them as "The Carters." The blanket also paid tribute to Plains, Georgia, the small town where the two met as children, and featured the text "est. 1885" as well as images of dogwood flowers, a plant that's native to the state of Georgia. Other illustrations around the border of the blanket appeared to depict other facets of life in Plains.
Related: Former Presidents and First Ladies Gather for Rosalynn Carter’s Memorial Service
Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19, had been married to Jimmy for 77 years. She served as the first lady during his tenure from 1977 to 1981. She is survived by their four children and numerous grandchildren and great-children.
“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,” Jimmy said in a statement following the announcement of her death.
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Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.The ceremonies for Rosalynn began on Monday with a wreath-laying at Georgia Southwestern State University's Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex. The motorcade accompanying Rosalynn made stops at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, where past and current members of her Secret Service detail escorted the hearse.
The former first lady was then taken to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, where members of the public were invited to pay respects.
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Tuesday's invitation-only ceremony was attended by Jimmy as well as current President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Every living U.S. first lady — including Dr. Jill Biden, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Laura Bush — also attended Tuesday's tribute service for Rosalynn.
On Wednesday, Nov. 28, a formal funeral service for family and friends will take place at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.
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