Rosalynn Carter’s final journey begins

AMERICUS — Growing up in rural Southwest Georgia, Eleanor Rosalynn Carter read Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe” and Johanna Spyri’s “Heidi” and dreamed of visiting faraway places.

Carter was able to fulfil those dreams after she became first lady and moved into the White House, traveling the world, calling for peace and championing human rights.

Serving as a surrogate for President Jimmy Carter in 1977, she led a diplomatic mission to seven Latin American nations and Caribbean islands. Two years later, she visited Cambodian refugees, helping focus international attention on their plight. And in 1988, she traveled to Africa to help her husband fight the Guinea worm, a parasite that causes a debilitating illness.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, who died this month at 96 after battling dementia, began her final journey Monday where it started. In Southwest Georgia. Three days of memorial events have been planned.

From Plains, her motorcade traveled to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. The hospital served as her temporary resting place since she died. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived at the hospital in black coaches.

Over the years, she and former President Jimmy Carter received medical care at Phoebe Sumter, though their involvement with the hospital extended well beyond that.

“They wanted what was best for Sumter County, and health care was an integral part of that,” said Carlyle Walton, the medical center’s CEO.

“I am thankful that our team was given this opportunity to be a small part in celebrating the life of just a great woman, a great American and someone who was passionate about our community, our hospital.”

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Credit: Miguel Martinez

For many years, a Carter family member served on the board of the foundation for Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus. But in 2007, that hospital was destroyed by a tornado and was rebuilt, becoming Phoebe Sumter.

The former president attended the new center’s groundbreaking in 2009 and the former first lady wrote a letter to help it win a national contest for a free MRI machine, according to Walton. In 2015, the community raised money in the former president’s honor — to support fellow cancer patients. The Carters asked that some of those donations fund the Phoebe Cancer Center in Albany, Walton said.

The former president, who entered home hospice care in February after a series of brief hospital stays, was not in the family motorcade that arrived at the hospital in Americus Monday. But he was expected to travel to Atlanta for memorial events, a Carter Center spokesperson said.

Ten current and former members of Rosalynn Carter’s U.S. Secret Service details carried her casket — laden with sunflowers and roses — from the medical center in Americus to her hearse.

Among them was Bill Bush, who served the Carters for 21 years until he retired in 1999. He was special agent in charge for 16 of those years, traveling to more than 120 countries with the former first lady. Bush accompanied her on work trips and adventures, including when they climbed to the base camps at Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro.

“She did not want to be left out of anything that President Carter decided to do,” Bush said, adding: “It’s certainly like losing one of your family.”

Credit: TNS

Next, her motorcade arrived at her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. The campus features a bronze statue of her and is home to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, which advocates for those who aid people with disabilities and mental illnesses.

“She’s given this institution a lot of confidence and a lot of credibility,” Georgia Southwestern President Neal Weaver said. “Her work and her advocacy all across the globe have brought attention and recognition to the university, and she’s left an incredible legacy for us to follow and to preserve.”

Mourners placed wreathes beside her statue before her motorcade departed for its final destination Monday, the Carter Center in Atlanta. Rosalynn Carter joined the former president in creating the center, which seeks to wipe out diseases, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and promote democracy.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

A private service is planned for her Tuesday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, located on Emory University’s campus. Her grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. Members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, pianist David Osborne and singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will perform.

The Rev. Mark Westmoreland, Glenn Memorial’s senior pastor, will give the call to worship and invocation. The Rev. Tony Lowden, the Carters’ personal pastor, will deliver opening remarks.

Son James Earl “Chip” Carter III will welcome attendees. Daughter Amy Carter will present a reading. One grandson and three of Rosalynn Carter’s great-grandchildren will read scripture. Tributes will be delivered by longtime aide and friend Kathryn Cade, journalist Judy Woodruff and grandson Jason Carter.

Among others expected to attend: President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.

Meredith Evans, who directs the Carter Presidential Library and Museum, particularly hopes to see women pay their respects. Carter, Evans pointed out, expanded the role of first lady and showed how women could be equal partners with their husbands.

“I hope they feel empowered to continue her legacy,” Evans said.

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains will hold a private service for her on Wednesday. Afterward, she will be buried in front of the modest ranch house she shared with the former president in Plains.

The tiny city, home to only about 570 people, continued to mourn the loss of its matriarch Monday. A makeshift memorial has formed in a downtown park, where the former first lady’s fans are leaving flowers. A chalkboard sitting outside of Southwest Trophy & Gifts quotes scripture, declaring: “Well done good and faithful servant. You will be missed!”

--AJC staff writers Sara Gregory and Ernie Suggs contributed to this report.