President Biden and First Lady to Attend Rosalynn Carter’s Memorial Service in Georgia

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are set to visit Georgia next week to pay tribute to the late Rosalynn Carter. The visit is part of a three-day series of events commemorating the life of the former first lady. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, will also be in attendance, as confirmed by the White House.

Mrs. Carter, who was the lifelong partner and confidant of the 39th President Jimmy Carter, passed away on November 19 at the age of 96. The memorial services, scheduled for Tuesday, will include a departure ceremony and a motorcade following Mrs. Carter lying in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center the previous day. The motorcade will then proceed to Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University, where a tribute service will be held exclusively for invited guests.

Details regarding the president, vice president, and their partners’ appearances at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center or solely at the tribute service remain uncertain. The White House has indicated that more information will be provided in due course.

On Wednesday, a funeral procession will take place, leading to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, which was Mrs. Carter’s hometown church. A private service for family and invited friends will be held there, followed by her burial.

While the funeral service itself will be private, members of the public are welcome to line the streets of Plains to participate in a motorcade honoring and paying homage to the former first lady. Additionally, individuals can express their condolences from any location through a dedicated legacy page.

Earlier this week, Jill Stuckey, a close friend of the Carters and the superintendent of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park in Plains, spoke with 11Alive’s Jon Shirek. Stuckey revealed that the couple had concerns about the future of Plains and its ability to continue attracting tourism after their passing. As a result, they made the decision in the early 2000s to be buried in Plains, on a small hill overlooking a pond they had constructed. Their commitment to the town’s economic development and tourism persisted even in death.

The upcoming visit by President Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Harris, and Second Gentleman Emhoff to Georgia signifies the nation’s collective respect and admiration for Rosalynn Carter’s enduring legacy. It serves as a poignant reminder of the impact she and President Carter had on the country and their unwavering dedication to their community in Plains.