President Jimmy Carter Seen On Rare Public Outing For Late Wife Rosalynn's Funeral

Former President Jimmy Carter made a rare public appearance at the memorial service held in honor of his late wife, Rosalynn Carter. 

The 99-year-old former first citizen has gone through challenges with his health and has been under hospice care at home since February, before his latest sighting at his late wife's memorial.

Rosalynn's passing comes after she recently entered hospice care at her Georgia home alongside her husband. She was diagnosed with dementia in May. Flags were flown half-mast across the U.S. "as a mark of respect for the memory" of the former first lady.

The 39th U.S. president had been out of public glare for most of the year after being placed under hospice care at his Georgia Home due to his health concerns. 

The former President was in attendance at his late wife's memorial on Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta after she passed "peacefully" at her Plains home "with her family by her side."

Proceedings for Rosalynn's memorial began on Monday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Georgia Southwestern State University's Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex. Her motorcade also made stops at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, where members of the public were allowed to pay their last respects.

Rosalynn, who passed away at the age of 96, was survived by their four children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

In a news release shared by The Carter Center, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient paid tribute to his late wife, calling her an "equal partner" in their over 77 years of marriage.

"Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished," President Carter said. "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."

Their son, Chip, also fondly remembered his late mom, calling her a "loving mother," an "extraordinary First Lady," and a "great humanitarian in her own right."

"Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today," he added.

In the days leading up to her death, the former first lady entered hospice care at her Plains, Georgia, home six months after being diagnosed with dementia and nine months after President Carter was also placed under hospice care.

The statement, released by The Carter Center, noted that she was spending lots of time together with her husband and their family, as they expressed gratitude "for the outpouring of love and support."

A formal funeral service, amid other public and private events, will be held in her honor for family and friends on Wednesday, November 28, at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. Thereafter, she will be buried at her Plains residence, which she has called home for more than 60 years.

U.S. flags were flown at half-staff across the nation since November 25 to honor the life and legacy of the late Rosalynn. The decision to lower the flags was made by a presidential proclamation by President Joe Biden "as a mark of respect for the memory" of the former first lady.

The president also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other overseas facilities, as well as the White House, all public buildings and grounds, all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government.

It is expected to stay that way until the sunset of Wednesday, November 29, the day of Rosalynn's burial.