JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The world is grieving the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.
And the state of Georgia is grieving the loss of one of its own.
Georgia was Carter’s home state and the place where he lived most of his life.
Carter died Sunday, after spending over a year in Hospice.
The busy world took a moment of silence and pause on Monday. At the New York Stock Exchange, the quietest we may have ever heard it. It was a similar act of silence around the world for the 39th president and humanitarian James “Jimmy” Earl Carter Jr., who passed away on the last Sunday of 2024.
Online, heartfelt condolences posted from around the world.
“We’re all saddened by this particularly us in Georgia. We were very proud of Jimmy Carter,” said Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter, whose district is based in Savannah. “I think his greatest legacy will be his post-presidency. What he did serving his country, fellow man, Habitat for Humanity, the Carter Center has done so much good throughout the years.”
Carter worked in Jacksonville with Habitat for Humanity helping build Fairway Oaks. He did an interview with former News4JAX Anchor Joyce Morgan.
Carter was also a husband, father, farmer and Navy man. His wife Rosalyn died in 2023. His legacy carries on in many ways, including in his children and grandchildren, some are also in politics.
“I did serve in the Georgia State Senate with his grandson Jason. I also know one of his other grandsons, Josh. I’ve gotten to know him recently through my work of honoring his grandmother Rosalyn for her work with caregivers in mental health,” Buddy Carter said. “I can tell you they were very very proud of their grandfather and their grandmother with good reason.”
The good that Carter gave to this world rings loud from his life and in his passing. Although he is gone now, it is obvious that he made an impact as a peanut farmer, president and humanitarian.
Carter will lie in state on Saturday and Sunday.
Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp also honored Carter in a statement: “Marty, the girls, and I join all Georgians and the entire nation in mourning the loss of former President Jimmy Carter.
As the only American president thus far to come from Georgia, he showed the world the impact our state and its people have on the country. And as a son of Plains, he always valued Georgians and the virtues of our state, choosing to return to his rural home after his time in public office.
Before becoming president, he worked to grow the state’s economic success and position on the national and international stages as a state senator and the 76th governor of Georgia. Under his leadership, the European and Japanese state trade offices were launched, as well as the Georgia Film Commission. He and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s support of the civil rights movement in the place of its birth is also remembered with deep appreciation.
When he left the White House, the Carters’ contributions continued. From teaching Sunday school to congregants and visitors alike over the years to their tireless work supporting Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center’s efforts to address global health issues, Georgians are accustomed to seeing Jimmy Carter hard at work.
As the longest-lived president in history, perhaps his greatest distinction is the happy marriage he enjoyed with First Lady Carter, spanning over 77 years – also the longest of any former president. Their family continues to be in our prayers as President Carter is reunited with his beloved wife and the world mourns this native Georgian, former state and national leader, and proud peanut farmer from Plains.”