James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, the 39th President of the United States, Nobel Prize winner, humanitarian and most importantly, The Man From Plains, died today, December 29, 2024. He was 100. His wife of seventy-seven years, Rosalynn Smith Carter, passed away last November.
He is survived by sons Jack, Chip and Jeff, daughter Amy, 21 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. His parents were the late James Earl Carter Senior and Bessie Lillian Gordy. His siblings were the late Gloria Carter Spann, Ruth Carter Stapleton and William Carter. Carter also survived his grandson Jeremy, who tragically passed in 2015.
From Plains to the Presidency
In some ways, Jimmy Carter encapsulated the American dream. The town of Plains, Georgia, is a rural one that one would not expect a President to hail from. His upbringing was hardly poor, but he did not have the same wealth that contemporaries FDR or George H. W. Bush did. His mother, known as Miss Lillian, was an unusual woman whose ardent belief in racial equality and nursing the sick. She undoubtedly influenced Carter’s belief in fairness and equality. A promising Naval career was dashed by his father’s death and Carter was forced to return home. The farm initially did so poorly that Carter was forced to live in subsidized public housing.
Yet, above all odds, Carter rose from this rut. His business became successful and he joined the Georgia State Senate before being elected to the role of Governor in 1970. Being Governor did not translate into national reclaim, but Carter continued to build upon a foundation of doing the right thing. He pushed for civil rights, equal education and help for the mentally handicapped.
In late 1974, Carter announced that he was running for the presidency in ‘76. He was a highly unusual choice, for he was an unknown governor of a Southern state, a man with no connections or even foreign policy experience. His name recognition hovered at 2%. Despite this, Carter went from underdog to clear front runner. The nation soon learned of the devout Christian with a southern twang and surprisingly liberal heart. Beating out better known candidates such as Jerry Brown and George Wallace, Carter became the nominee. In a surprisingly close election, Carter beat Republican incumbent Gerald Ford.
The man from Plains had made it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Peanuts on Pennsylvania Avenue
In an unusual move, he and Rosalynn chose to walk the route from Capitol Hill to the White House on Inauguration Day.
The fresh-faced Carter seemed to be the perfect fix for a nation troubled by Watergate, but his administration was less than perfect. Whilst the poor economy was inherited, it took a long time before the government was able to bring about economic growth. Inflation was famously high. The 1979 energy crisis, brought about by foreign issues, saw cars queue for hours to get fuel. Some states implemented gas rationing. Other domestic issues included abandoned healthcare reform plans. The publically friendly Carter was often rude and abrasive to Congress, souring relations.
One of the most defining issues of the Carter administration was the Iran Hostage Crisis. After the Revolution, hardline Iranian students loyal to the Ayatollah Khomeini held American embassy staff hostage for many months. Attempts to free the hostages, including the failed Operation Eagle Claw, ended in vain. The Carter administration was unable to get the hostages free. As the crisis continued and the news showed the plight of the Americans, Carter became deeply unpopular. He was perceived as too soft and was widely criticized when he initially allowed the ousted Shah into America for treatment.
Despite his presidency not being an overall success, Carter did have his achievements. On the domestic front, Carter pushed for better education and expanded America’s national parks. When working on foreign policy, Carter wanted to focus on human rights whenever possible. Most notably, he worked on and pushed for the Camp David Accords that brought peace between Egypt and Israel.
A Post-Presidential Life To Aspire To
Despite losing soundly in 1980 and retiring from elected politics, Carter was not done. Founded in 1982, The Carter Center promotes peace, democracy and healthcare across the world. It was through his foundation that Carter worked to eradicate the Guinea Worm, a parasitic infection prevalent in Africa. His efforts have seen cases of the infection fall dramatically and it’s hoped the disease will soon be eradicated.
In the years after his presidency, Carter traveled the world in order to promote human rights. He was seen in nations as diverse as South Africa, talking to Nelson Mandela, and Cuba, encouraging Fidel Castro to improve civil rights. In his role as a trusted elder statesman, Carter went to North Korea in order to negotiate the release of an American who was imprisoned in the nation. He was successful in this venture.
In 2002, Carter’s humanitarian netted him the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the third of four presidents to win the award and the only to receive it after his time in office. In the twenty-one years since the win, Carter never stopped working. He famously built houses for Habitat for Humanity even in his nineties. His humanitarian work covered natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina.
Carter attended every Inauguration until 2021, which he could not attend due to his old age and COVID worries. Despite political differences with several of his successors, he was widely regarded by the men who followed in his footsteps. He was not hesitant to criticise them, but he was also willing to dish out praise whenever he felt it was earned.
Family and Faith
Despite his extensive political life, it’s likely that Carter would think of his family above all else. He married Rosalynn Smith in 1946. Their marriage of over 77 years was one of devotion, love and fidelity. Rosalynn was her husband’s most trusted advisor and confidante, so much so that she was allowed into Cabinet meetings to take notes. The pair read the Bible for an hour before bed every night. Rosalynn once said: “Jimmy and I were always partners.”
He was also close to his four children. His sons were long grown by the time he entered the White House, but daughter Amy was only a young girl. In his golden years, Carter enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also a devoted son to his beloved mother Miss Lillian, a Southern matriarch who lived to see her eldest son’s presidency.
It was essentially faith that guided Carter. This does not just refer to Carter’s deep Christian faith, but his faith in people and the goodness in their hearts. Carter was one of America’s most devout presidents. He taught Sunday School in Plains for decades post-presidency, leaving a legacy of faith for the Young of his beloved town. To him, his faith told him to do what was right and to use his powers to help the less fortunate. His belief in God was as sincere as his belief in men.
I extend my condolences for all those who knew and loved President Carter. He will always be remembered for his utter devotion to humanity. It’s easy to say that no president has such an amazing non-political legacy. To have a legacy that involves a devotion to others is one that we can only wish for.
It seems only fitting to end the obituary of a faithful man with a Bible quote. From Proverbs 21:21:
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Rest in Peace, Jimmy Carter.
