PLAINS, Ga. — A private funeral service held at Maranatha Baptist Church housed around 300 people closest to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter on Wednesday.
Rosalynn Carter's grandson, Josh Carter, delivered one humorous and heartfelt speech. Speaking on behalf of his family, Josh shared personal anecdotes that provided a glimpse into the warm and loving "Mom" who played a central role in their lives.
"She was kind, loving and caring," Josh Carter said. "She'd do a lot of energy from her grandkids and later her great-grandkids."
Josh recounted cherished memories of his grandmother's interactions with the family, showcasing her boundless love and joy, particularly when welcoming new additions. He described moments of laughter and playfulness, illustrating how, even in her 80s, Rosalynn Carter would join her great-grandchildren on the floor, creating timeless snapshots of familial happiness.
"She is a woman from Plains, Georgia, who became a champion hula dancer in Honolulu, Hawaii," he said.
The grandson touched on the family's tradition of spending New Year's together, highlighting how the two would enjoy Disney World without the lines. He humorously noted that Rosalynn's favorite ride was the Tower of Terror, much to the humiliation of some Secret Service agents.
"It became pretty clear that a lot of the Secret Service did not share this opinion," Josh Carter said. "So, as we got older, one of my favorite things about Disney was hanging back within earshot of the agent, negotiating about who was going to go on the ride."
As Josh Carter delved into Rosalynn Carter's global impact through her work with the Carter Center, he emphasized her unique perspective. She saw people in forgotten corners of the world not as statistics but as individuals with hopes, dreams and a fundamental worthiness of love, Josh Carter said.
"She spent the rest of her life improving the lives of people across the globe to free them from oppression, eliminate crippling diseases, and help people with mental illness have healthy, fulfilling lives," Josh Carter said. "And she knew that was the best time of her life."