President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses plan to travel to Georgia next week to attend services for Rosalynn Carter, a senior administration official said Wednesday.
Carter, a former first lady and the wife of former President Jimmy Carter, died Sunday at her home in Plains, Georgia.
President Biden, first lady Jill Biden will be accompanied by Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff in Atlanta next Tuesday for a tribute celebration, the administration official said. Former first lady Laura Bush will also be in attendance.
Rosalynn Carter, who was 96, was known for her advocacy of mental health care and provided steady political counsel to her spouse.
The memorial will commence Monday with a wreath-laying at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Rosalynn Carter’s alma mater. She will lie in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.
On Tuesday, there will be a tribute service at Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University in Atlanta with invited guests.
A funeral service will be held at the Carters’ longtime place of worship, Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains on Wednesday. She will be buried at the Carters’ residence in a private ceremony.
President Biden and the Carters met at their home in April 2021. The president and senior aides have stayed in touch with the Carters throughout the past year and following Rosalynn Carter’s passing after a diagnosis of dementia and a brief period of hospice care at home.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were married for over 77 years, setting a record for first couples. Jimmy Carter is 99.
“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it,” Jimmy Carter said in a statement. “As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
