President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024.
The former president, who had been in hospice care since early 2023, passed away peacefully in his home in Plains, Georgia, his son Chip confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Jimmy Carter was the 39th President of the United States from 1977-1981. He was previously Governor of Georgia from 1971-1975 and a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1963-1967.
Following his presidency, Carter created the Carter Center, where he focused on human rights. He works closely with Habitat for Humanity and continued to help build homes for the organization well into his 90s. His work earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Following his passing, Habitat for Humanity released the following statement:
“President Jimmy Carter was a true friend to Habitat for Humanity and worked so tirelessly to make the world a better place. He helped families build and repair homes, shone a light on the tremendous global need for decent and affordable shelter, and brought hope and opportunity to communities around the world. Please join us in remembering him and celebrating the positive impact he had on so many.”
Many volunteered alongside Carter and his wife Rosalynn, including country singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood were longtime friends of the Carters, even gifting them a car for their 75th wedding anniversary in 2021. Garth and Trisha bought them a fully-restored Ford Super Deluxe convertible built the same year Jimmy and Rosalynn married, 1946.
In 2019, Brooks praised Jimmy and Rosalynn for their efforts with Habitat for Humanity in an interview with Yahoo!
“What the Carters stand for is what we should all shoot for as human beings. Please forget ‘Republican’ or ‘Democrat.’ What they are standing for is as human beings,” the “Friends In Low Places” singer said. “If we’re going to get anywhere as a human race, this is the path we want to follow. So anything keeping any kind of light on that path and those two people’s dreams, then count us in.”
Sadly, Rosalynn passed away in November 2023. Her funeral marked Jimmy Carter’s final public appearance of his lifetime.
Most recently, Garth and Trisha were helping Habitat for Humanity along with the Carter Work Project on September 30th.
View this post on Instagram
The following day, President Carter turned 100, marking the first time in history that an American president had reached the centenarian milestone.
Brooks posted a series of photos of him and Trisha with the Carters on various Habitat for Humanity projects over the years alongside the caption,
“To the man with the longest legacy of giving we have ever known, Happy 100th Birthday Mr. President Carter. Your work has impacted the world and your heart continues to change lives, ours included. Grateful to be on your Carter Work Project @habitatforhumanity build this week with many others … Thank you for inspiring all of us to give more and love more! It’s an honor to be your friend.”
Garth and Trisha React To President Carter’s Death
After it was announced that President Carter had passed away, Garth and Trisha took some time to mourn his loss.
Trisha reacted on social media first, posting a photo of herself working alongside Rosalynn and Jimmy, writing, “Rest easy, Mr. President. I’m sad for us, and happy for you. Your and Mrs. Rosalynn’s legacy of love will live forever.”
View this post on Instagram
A few hours later, on December 30, Garth posted a photo of Jimmy and Rosalynn working and said, “President Carter, the legacy you and Rosalynn have left us is as beautiful as the life you lived. Thank you for your lifetime of service to our country and the world. You inspired us not just by what you said, but by what you built. We love you.”
It’s clear the Carters meant so much to both Garth and Trisha. See Garth Brooks’ post below.