Jimmy Carter, Biden and Clintons pay respects at Rosalynn Carter memorial

Jimmy Carter, Biden and Clintons pay respects at Rosalynn Carter memorial

Jimmy Carter, 99, left hospice care at home to tend to his late wife, but Trump, Obama and Bush were not present

A service of remembrance for Rosalynn Carter was held Tuesday as politicians and community leaders gathered to celebrate the life of the former first lady following her death last Sunday.

The former 99-year-old President Jimmy Carter attended a memorial service for his late wife of 77 years, traveling from his hospice home to Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta. His presence is a rare public appearance for the former president, who has been in home hospice care for 10 months.

Rosalynn Carter: A Life in PicturesRead More

The funeral cortege left for Glenn Memorial around noon, and the ceremony began shortly after 1:30 pm ET and ended after 3:00 pm.

Military guards transported Rosalyn's casket from the Presidential Library and Jimmy Carter Museum, where the former first lady rested, to the Glenn Memorial Church.

Tributes were paid to Rosalynn by journalist Judy Woodruff, longtime assistant and friend Katherine Cade, as well as children and grandchildren Rosalyn.

< p class="dcr-1kas69x">Jason, Rosalyn's grandson, spoke about his grandmother's commitment to advocating for better mental health care.

“Her 50-year rise in mental health advocacy has been as remarkable as any , and has already been mentioned,” Jason said during the tribute, adding that Rosalyn “decided in 1970 to address the anxiety and stigma associated with mental illness.” .

“These efforts have changed lives and saved lives, including in my own family,” Jason added, referring to Rosalynn's advocacy work.

Rosalynn's children, Amy and James, also performed at the ceremony. James, who goes by Chip, credited Rosalynn as the glue that held the Carter family together during turbulent times.

Chip added that his mother influenced him to rehab for substance use disorder psychoactive substances.

«She saved my life,» Chip said during the ceremony.

Amy opened up about Jimmy and Rosaleen's long-term relationship by sharing a love letter he wrote to Rosaleen , while he served in the Navy.

“My dear, every time I was away from you, I was delighted when I returned and discovered how beautiful you are,” — he wrote in a letter read by Amy.

“Their partnership and love story became the defining feature of her life. Since he cannot speak to you today, I will share some of his words about love and longing,” Amy said.

Rosalyn's other grandchildren and great-grandchildren read Bible passages during the tribute .

Every living former First Ladyattended Tuesday's service by invitation only. Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff also attended but did not make remarks.

Other guests included Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, mayor of Atlanta , Andre Dickens and other Georgia politicians.

Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W. Bush were invited to Tuesday's memorial ceremony, the Associated Press reported, but were not absent from attending.

Public tributes to Rosalynn began Monday as her family planned three memorials in honor of the former first lady.

Hundreds of supporters paid their respects Monday at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.

In addition to Tuesday's tribute, a funeral will be held Wednesday for family and invited friends to Plains, Georgia, where the Carters lived.The former first lady died last week at age 96 at her home in Georgia. She was diagnosed with dementia in May and died shortly after entering hospice care with her husband.

“Rosalyn was my equal partner in everything I ever achieved,” Jimmy Carter said in an interview. statement released last week by the Carter Center. “She gave me wise guidance and support when I needed it. As long as Rosalyn was alive, I always knew that someone loved and supported me.”

Rosalyn is widely recognized for her commitment to public service and her work as an advocate for human rights. . mental health.

During her tenure as First Lady, Rosalyn wrote to the World Health Organization, arguing that mental health is a component of physical health and that health, more broadly, is human rights.

Rosalyn and her husband have also supported several humanitarian causes, including Habitat for Humanity.