Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on 18 August 1927 and grew up in this simple Folk Victorian house. Her parents were Edgar (1896-1940) and Allie Murray Smith (1905-2000). Edgar died from leukemia in 1940 and Allie raised their four children on her own, working numerous jobs around Plains.

After graduation from Plains High School in 1944 and Georgia Southwestern College in 1946, Rosalynn married Jimmy Carter on 7 July 1946. Rosalynn was delivered by Lillian Carter, Jimmy’s mother, and was a close friend of his sister Ruth. Becoming a political wife in the 1960s, she went on to serve as First Lady of Georgia from 1971-1975 and First Lady of the United States from 1977-1981.

Rodney David Porter writes: I was Miss Allie’s pastor and had the high honor of doing her funeral. Such a sweet and endearing woman of God. Loved visiting in this home.

Plains Historic District, National Register of Historic Places