As mourners pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter following a national funeral service Jan. 9 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., admirers recall the enduring love story of the 39th president of the United States and his late wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who died in November 2023.
During Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service on Nov. 28, 2023, at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church in Atlanta, the couple’s youngest child and only daughter, Amy Carter, read a love letter Jimmy Carter wrote to his bride 75 years before.
“I chose something that is hard to read without crying,” Amy Carter said during the service. “My mom spent most of her life in love with my dad. Their partnership and love story was a defining feature of her life. Because he isn’t able to speak to you today, I am going to share some of his words about loving and missing her.”
Amy Carter then read a letter written to Rosalynn Carter 75 years before her death by the former president during his service in the Navy.
“My darling, every time I have ever been away from you, I have been thrilled when I returned to discover just how wonderful you are. While I am away, I try to convince myself that you really are not, could not be as sweet and beautiful as I remember. But when I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. Does that seem strange to you? It doesn’t to me. Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow. Jimmy.”
the letter from Jimmy carter recited by amy carter during her mother rosalynn carter’s tribute service.
Rosalynn Carter died Nov. 19 at her home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 96. She married Jimmy Carter in July 1946 when she was 18 years old. She served as the first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981.
