Rosalynn Carter death: Biden orders flags to be flown at half-staff

Former president Barack Obama paid tribute to the late first lady, Rosalynn Carter, on X, alluding to her impact on others through her work of service.

“Rosalynn Carter’s life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch,” Mr Obama wrote.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time,” he added.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared a tribute to a fellow First Lady Rosalynn Carter, after news of her death on Sunday broke.

In a lengthy post on X, Ms Obama said Carter would join her for lunch every so often while she was in the White House to offer “words of advice and always – always – a helping hand.”

“You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being Frist Lady,” Ms Obama wrote. “And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it.”

“[Carter] reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and generosity,” Ms Obama wrote.

Ms Obama said Carter made “groundbreaking work” to combat the stigma of mental health, advocated for better care for older adults and advanced women’s rights.

The Carter Center announced that tributes to Rosalynn Carter will begin on Monday, November 27 and her funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 29.

Carter, who died at age 96 on Sunday, was the First Lady to one-term President Jimmy Carter.

Next Monday, Carter will lie in response at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects there.

On Tuesday, there will be a tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University featuring invited guests only.

Then on Wednesday, a funeral procession will begin at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains before Carter is taken to the Carter family residence for a private burial.

Members of the public are welcome to view the motorcade route from the church to downtown Plains.

Former president Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement on X about Rosalynn Carter, the former First Lady and wife of president Jimmy Carter.

“Rosalynn Carter was a compassionate and committed champion of human dignity everywhere,” the statement began.

The Clintons highlighted Carter’s work in mental health advocacy, childhood immunization and working with Habitat for Humanity as part of her “remarkable life.”

“Rosalynn will forever be remembered as the embodiment of a life lived with purpose,” they said.

On August 18th, Rosalynn Carter celebrated her 96th birthday at her home in Plains, Georgia with her husband, former president Jimmy Carter, and family, according to The Associated Press.

Carter, who died on Sunday, was navigating living with dementia in the final months of her life while her husband was entered into hospice earlier this year.

Her quiet birthday was spent eating cupcakes and peanut butter ice cream and then releasing butterflies into the Carters’ garden.

Carter had a deep love for butterflies since childhood.

Her family and friends released butterflies on her birthday as well as an ode to her life.

The Secret Service, which provided protection for Rosalynn Carter and Jimmy Carter for the 42 years following Mr Carter’s leave from the White House, issued a statement following Rosalynn’s death on Sunday.

“Your compassion, diplomacy and penchant to make society better for those less fortunate was an inspiration for an entire generation. It has been our honor to protect and serve you for all of these years. You were truly a treasure for our nation and our Secret Service family,” the Secret Service wrote in a statement on X. 

Jimmy Carter remains a home hospice patient and there are “no updates” on the former president’s health, according to a spokesperson for the Carter Center.

The spokesperson, Matthew De Galan, addressed Mr Carter’s health the day after former first lady Rosalynn Carter died at the family home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday.

Ms Carter’s death came just days after it was announced that the 96-year-old had also entered home hospice. She had been diagnosed with dementia in May.

Graeme Massie reports:

Jason Carter, the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, shared a touching photo of him with his grandmother just one day after she died.

In a photo, posted to X, Mr Carter shared an image of him and Rosalynn standing side-by-side during his run for Georgia governor in 2014.

The five living First Ladies, including the current First Lady Jill Biden, sent tributes to Rosalynn Carter following her death on Sunday.

Hillary Clinton called Carter a “champion of human dignity everywhere” and highlighted her work in mental health advocacy and human health as part of that.

Laura Bush celebrated Carter’s loyalty and support for her husband while in office as well as her legacy in destigmatising mental health.

Michelle Obama thanked Carter for her advice and support when she was a First Lady and recognised her work to advance health for elderly people as well as her work building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

Melania Trump sent her condolences to the Carter family and remembered her legacy.

Jill Biden remembered Carter for paving her own pathway and inspiring the US in her journey.

Throughout her lifetime, Rosalynn Carter worked to destigmatize mental health, advocate for better care for the elderly, build housing and preserve butterflies.

As a fan of butterflies from a young age, Carter spent the latter half of her lifetime working to preserve butterfly habitats in her hometown of Plains, Georgia.

In 2013, Carter sought to create a safe place for Monarch butterflies to pollinate, after seeing butterfly habitats dwindle due to natural disasters, human interference and more. She created the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail which hosts plants for Monarchs and other butterflies to use to grow.

The trail continued to grow with locations across the US, Canada, Europe and Japan.