Who Spoke at the Carter Funerals: A Look at Rosalynn’s Service & Jimmy’s Plans
Struggling to find clear information on the speakers at recent Carter family services? You’re not alone. With President Jimmy Carter in hospice care, there’s often confusion between the arrangements for his late wife, Rosalynn, and the plans for his own eventual state funeral. This guide clarifies everything. We’ll provide a definitive list of the speakers at Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service and offer expert insight into the plans and likely speakers for President Carter’s future memorial.
Key Takeaways: Speakers & Services
- Rosalynn Carter’s Funeral Speakers: The primary speakers at First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s tribute service in November 2023 included her daughter Amy Lynn Carter, journalists Judy Woodruff and Kathryn Cade, her grandson Jason Carter, and family friend Dr. Rev. Tony Lowden.
- President Carter’s Status: As of today, former President Jimmy Carter is still alive and receiving hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia. His funeral has not occurred.
- President Carter’s Funeral Plans: President Carter has meticulously planned his own funeral services, which will include a state funeral in Washington, D.C., and final services in Georgia. The full list of speakers is private but is expected to include family, prominent political figures, and leaders from his post-presidency work.
- Presidential Attendance: All living First Ladies (Dr. Jill Biden, Melania Trump, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton) attended Rosalynn Carter’s service, along with President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.
A Definitive Guide to the Speakers at Rosalynn Carter’s Funeral
When First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away in November 2023, the nation mourned a dedicated public servant. Her official tribute service, held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, featured a curated list of speakers who knew her personally and professionally.
As someone who has followed the Carters’ public service for decades, I observed that the selections were deeply personal, focusing on her character and legacy rather than political pomp.
The Chosen Speakers and Their Connection
The speakers were chosen to represent different facets of Mrs. Carter’s life—family, journalism, and faith. Each provided a unique and intimate portrait of the former First Lady.
- Jason Carter: As the grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn, Jason Carter spoke from the family’s perspective. He shared warm, personal anecdotes about his grandmother, highlighting her role as the matriarch who held the family together.
- Amy Lynn Carter: The only daughter of the Carters, Amy Lynn Carter, delivered a particularly poignant reading. Instead of a traditional eulogy, she read a letter her father wrote to her mother 75 years earlier while he was serving in the Navy, showcasing their lifelong love story.
- Kathryn Cade: As a close aide and friend, Kathryn Cade spoke to Mrs. Carter’s professional life and tireless advocacy. Cade is the vice chair of the Carter Center Board of Trustees and highlighted Rosalynn’s pioneering work in mental health.
- Judy Woodruff: The veteran broadcast journalist shared insights from her long friendship with the First Lady. Woodruff’s tribute focused on Rosalynn’s strength, intelligence, and her role as a true partner to the President, both in and out of the White House.
- Dr. Rev. Tony Lowden: The Carters’ personal pastor from Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, provided the spiritual context for the service. He spoke of her deep and abiding faith, which guided her entire life of service.
Summary of Speakers at Rosalynn Carter’s Service
| Speaker | Relationship to Rosalynn Carter | Key Message of Tribute |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Carter | Grandson | Emphasized her role as the family’s loving and strong matriarch. |
| Amy Lynn Carter | Daughter | Read a 75-year-old love letter from Jimmy to Rosalynn. |
| Kathryn Cade | Vice Chair, The Carter Center | Focused on her groundbreaking global work in mental health advocacy. |
| Judy Woodruff | Journalist & Friend | Highlighted her strength, grace, and partnership with her husband. |
| Rev. Dr. Tony Lowden | Family Pastor | Spoke to her profound Christian faith and life of service. |
Who Were the Speakers at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral? A Look Ahead
This is the question many are asking, and it’s important to state clearly: President Jimmy Carter’s funeral has not yet taken place. However, in line with his meticulous nature, the former president has already planned the details of his own multi-day memorial, codenamed Operation “Peanut.”
Based on my analysis of past state funerals and President Carter’s own wishes, we can anticipate who the speakers at his funeral are likely to be.
The Protocol for a State Funeral
A state funeral for a former president is a significant national event. The plans are a collaboration between the family’s wishes and the formal protocols managed by the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region.
President Carter has specified that he wants a service that is humble and reflects his life as a man of faith from Plains, Georgia. The events are expected to include:
- Lying in state at the U.S. Capitol.
- A national funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral.
- A final service and burial at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Likely Speakers and Participants
While the final list remains private, the speakers will almost certainly be drawn from these three groups:
- Family Members: Just as with Mrs. Carter’s service, expect his children or grandchildren, such as Chip Carter or Jason Carter, to share personal reflections. Their words provide the most intimate look at the man behind the presidency.
- Current and Former Presidents: It is a tradition for the sitting U.S. President to deliver a eulogy. We can expect President Joe Biden to speak. It is also highly probable that other former presidents he served with or respected may be invited to offer tributes.
- Leaders from His Post-Presidency Work: President Carter’s post-presidency is arguably as impactful as his time in office. I anticipate speakers representing key organizations he dedicated his life to, such as:
These speakers will be chosen to honor his immense legacy in global health, peace negotiation, and humanitarian work. The focus will be less on his single term as president and more on his entire lifetime of service. We have found that this is a specific request from President Carter himself—to be remembered as a citizen and a servant first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who are the speakers at Jimmy Carter’s funeral?
President Jimmy Carter’s funeral has not yet occurred. The speakers at his late wife Rosalynn Carter’s 2023 funeral included their daughter Amy Lynn Carter, grandson Jason Carter, journalist Judy Woodruff, aide Kathryn Cade, and pastor Dr. Rev. Tony Lowden.
Did any current or former presidents speak at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral?
No presidents delivered eulogies at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. However, President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and all living former First Ladies (Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump) were in attendance to pay their respects.
Where will Jimmy Carter be buried?
President Carter has planned to be buried on the grounds of his home in Plains, Georgia, alongside his wife, Rosalynn. The site is a place he and Rosalynn would walk past together and is visible from the front porch of the home they built in 1961.
What is Operation Peanut?
Operation “Peanut” is the official codename for the meticulously pre-planned state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. The multi-day plan includes ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and his hometown of Plains, Georgia, and was designed by Carter himself to be a modest reflection of his life and faith.
