Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter’s Grandson Details “The Human Side” Of His Late Grandparents

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Bettmann via Getty Images and The Library of Congress

Jason Carter, the oldest grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, spoke at his grandfather’s funeral and shared some relatable stories about his grandparents.

Former president Jimmy Carter, who died December 29th at the age of 100, was remembered Thursday (January 9) during a state funeral in Washington, D.C. It was a historic moment as all five living presidents, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, were in attendance.

Numerous other dignitaries and politicians filled Washington National Cathedral to honor the late president. Members of the Carter family were in attendance as well, and Jimmy and Rosalynn’s grandson, Jason, delivered a touching eulogy, giving some insight into what they were like as grandparents.

Jason opened his speech by highlighting Jimmy and Rosalynn’s faith. He told the crowd that his grandfather, whom he affectionately called “Pawpaw,” was a testament to God’s goodness.

“From the moment that he woke up until he laid his head, his life was a testament to the goodness of God,” Jason shared.

Jason Carter gave the crowd a glimpse of the “human side” of his famous grandparents.

Jason said that while the elder Carters spent four years in the governor’s mansion and four years in the White House, they spent the other 92 years at their beloved home in Plains, Georgia.

Carter said that the family spent a lot of time just letting people know that Jimmy and Rosalynn were just regular folks. One way they did that was to take them to the Carter home, which Jason said “looks like they might have built it themselves.”

He went on to describe what people would find when arriving at Jimmy and Rosalynn’s home.

“My grandfather was likely to show up at the door in some ’70s short shorts and Crocs,” Jason said. “Then you would walk in the house and it was like thousands of other grandparent’s house all across the south.”

Jason told listeners that his grandfather had fishing trophies on the walls, the refrigerator in the kitchen was “papered” with pictures of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and their main phone had a cord and hung on the kitchen wall “like a museum piece.”

“And demonstrating their depression-era roots, they had a little rack next to the sink where they would hang Ziploc bags to dry,” he added.

Jason recalled a funny moment he and his grandfather shared shortly after the elder Carter got his first cell phone.

Jason shared how he once received a call from his grandpa, who had unintentionally called him.

“I said, ‘Hey, Pawpaw.’ He said, ‘Who’s this?’ I said, ‘This is Jason,'” to which Jimmy replied, “What are you doing?”

Jason replied, “I’m not doing anything. You called me.”

Jimmy answered, “I didn’t call you. I’m taking a picture.”

The crowd laughed at the relatable moment and Jason said, “They were small-town people who never forgot who they were and where they were from no matter what happened in their lives.”

About Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter’s Modest Georgia Home

Jimmy and Rosalynn built their home in 1961, 15 years after they said “I do.” The two-bedroom ranch house is estimated to be worth a modest $240,000.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's home in Plains, Georgia, that they built in 1961.
Library of Congress

According to PEOPLE, the residence features a pond dug by Jimmy and a magnolia tree that was started from a cut of a tree Andrew Jackson planted at the White House.

The home will now be the final resting place for Jimmy and Rosalynn. Rosalynn died in November of 2023 and was laid to rest near the pond. Jimmy took his place next to her in a private burial on Thursday (January 9).

The Carters left the property to the National Park Service on the condition that it would become a museum upon their deaths.

Watch Jason Carter’s beautiful eulogy to his grandfather in the video below.

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About the Author

Tiffany Aaron

Hello! My name is Tiffany. Iโ€™ve worked as a content marketing specialist with Country Rebel since 2014. I enjoy stories about music and the people who make it. I find joy in writing about topics that educate, entertain, and bring smiles to readers' faces.

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