‘He misses her dearly’: Former President Jimmy Carter mourning death of Rosalynn Carter, one year later

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - It’s been one year since former First Lady Rosalynn Carter died in Plains, the small south Georgia town where she was born and raised.

On the anniversary of Rosalynn Carter’s death, among those mourning her loss is her husband, former President Jimmy Carter.

“He misses her dearly but is doing well and remains engaged with all things happening around the world from Plains,” said Ryan Greenstein with The Carter Center.

Greenstein, the associate director of public policy for mental health at the Carter Center, said it was an emotional day for the immediate Carter family and the extended community at the Carter Center.

“A lot of our staff had very close relationships with Mrs. Carter and President Carter as well throughout their tenure here,” said Greenstein. “And the thing that I look back on over the past year (is) just an overwhelming level of support from the community.”

On Tuesday, streams of visitors continued to visit the museum at the Carter Center, which honors the legacy of both President Carter and the former first lady.

Greenstein said the Center has remained committed to Rosalynn Carter’s priorities, specifically expanding access to mental healthcare and continuing the Rosalynn Carter Journalism Fellowship Program.

On Tuesday, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers encouraged those looking to support the former first lady’s legacy to donate to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.

You can also make donations to the Carter Center.

All donations up to $10,000 will be matched by an unidentified donor, according to the Carter Center.

Greenstein said they plan to hold the second Annual Parity Day at the State Capitol in February as the Carter Center continues its effort to have insurance providers treat mental healthcare on par to physical healthcare.

“It’s within our reach to overcome mental health challenges so I think we’re continuing that legacy, getting closer and closer,” said Greenstein, referencing Carter’s own words.

Rosalynn Carter was also instrumental in launching the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail, which now extends to at least 279 public gardens statewide.

There are thousands more butterfly gardens in public and private gardens across the globe in honor of the former first lady.