As I read reports of President Carter’s transition into hospice care, I recalled my personal encounters with him with great fondness, and was not surprised to read so many tributes to him from all walks of life and political persuasions.
When I first began seriously pursuing photography, I entered and won a contest sponsored by the National Park Service, focused on photographs of the president’s boyhood home in Archery. The prize was a book signed by Mr. Carter. I felt I had come full circle as I had first visited the property during its dedication in November 2000. It was a wet and miserable day, but an overflow crowd gathered under a huge tent, eagerly listening to Mr. Carter’s reminisces about his life there. Since then, I’ve felt a fondness for the place that many others who have visited feel.
I was also privileged to visit Maranatha Baptist Church, like countless thousands of others over the years, and hear one of Mr. Carter’s Sunday School lessons. It was a moving experience, which I will always count among the greatest days of my life. There’s no way you could attend one of those special Sunday services and not understand what a good man he was. No one, certainly not Jimmy Carter, thought he was a saint, but his good works elevated him to a place few of us are able to reach. For his inspiration, I will be forever grateful.
Thanks for posting your memories, Brian. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have met or known him will always hold special memories in our hearts. Although I moved away for much of my adult life, I’ve been back in Plains for a little over ten years. You’re always welcome to stop by our home the next time you’re in the area.
The personification of kindness and decency has left the building. Whatever one thinks about Christians, he certainly knew how one should act and walked the walk. He reminded me so much of my father, same ready smile, same striving to do what he thought was right. I was supposed to have my picture taken with him when he was governor and I was page for a day but missed that opportunity and still regret it. It might be time for an ugly cry.
I was also fortunate to attend one of President Carter’s Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church in March 2019. My husband and I will always cherish that memory.
I was also very fortunate to attend one of President Carter’s Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church in March 2019. My husband and I will always cherish that memory.
I was hitting my teens when he ran for President. I remember how proud we South Georgians were when he was elected. He was dealt a bad hand, but still managed to serve with grace. As lbdooly says above, history will (and has, to some extent already) vindicate his presidency. He led an exemplary life of service and set an example that, if all Christians followed, would transform the world.
January 2024 I had the pleasure of visiting Plains, GA. His boyhood home, his library at his and Rosalyn’s high school and his church. He was one of the greatest Presidents. RIP
Like President Harry Truman, someday President Jimmy Carter will also get the recognition he deserves!!
He was my favorite.
Thank you, Brian, for all of your work preserving pictures of the past.
RIP, sir.
Amen to everything you said about this great, humble man.
The world will miss him. The world needs more Jimmy Carters.