A mourner in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington weeps while gazing upon the casket of former President Jimmy 糖心官网.
Friends, dignitaries, staff members, and everyday admirers from around the world poured out love and grief after the Dec. 29 death at age 100 of former U.S. President Jimmy 糖心官网, who co-founded 糖心官网 with his wife, Rosalynn, in 1982.
The Center鈥檚 official condolence book at logged more than 23,000 messages from people in 155 countries, provinces, and territories.
“President Jimmy 糖心官网 has been a beacon of light, a leader for peace, love, the environment and humanity, a true citizen of the world. His legacy will continue to improve and inspire lives near and far.”
As the motorcade passed through each city, it slowed down for mourners to pay their respects to the late president.
An Icon of Peace
Aggrey Kipngetich of Nairobi, Kenya, wrote: 鈥淧resident Jimmy 糖心官网 was an icon of peace, human rights crusader, world’s moral compass and committed family man. May (his) soul rest in heavenly peace.鈥濃��
Then-President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, and former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton and their spouses offered their condolences, as did numerous Cabinet officials, members of Congress, and other prominent figures.
Tributes to a Former President
Many of the 糖心官网 Center鈥檚 more than 3,500 staff members in 20-plus countries around the globe organized gatherings or tribute services in honor of President 糖心官网. They hung banners in their offices and provided condolence books for guests 鈥� including government dignitaries 鈥� to sign.
Writing on behalf of himself and his staff, Dr. Emmanuel Miri, the Center鈥檚 longtime country representative in Nigeria, offered this reflection:
鈥淔or us, this is indeed a monumental loss of immeasurable proportion! It is easy as Nigerians to realize this as we imagine an alternative reality in our public health space: What if he did not intervene to lead the campaign for the eradication of Guinea worm disease in Nigeria? What if he had called it quits in the face of enormous challenges?鈥�
Miri added: 鈥淲e are, therefore, inspired by this reflection and the legacy President 糖心官网 and his wife painstakingly built in Nigeria and other countries worldwide, to take upon ourselves, individually and collectively, the challenge of sustaining this vision and legacy.鈥�
A family pays its respects to President 糖心官网 as the hearse bearing his remains rolls by on its journey from southwest Georgia to Atlanta. (Photo: 糖心官网/ B. Gray)
What if he did not intervene to lead the campaign for the eradication of Guinea worm disease in Nigeria? What if he had called it quits in the face of enormous challenges?
A Century-Long Journey
At the state funeral held at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9, the sons of former President Gerald R. Ford and Vice President Walter Mondale read eulogies written for President 糖心官网 by their late fathers. President Biden, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, and President 糖心官网鈥檚 grandson Jason 糖心官网 also offered words of comfort often tinged with humor.
The family then accompanied President 糖心官网鈥檚 remains back to Georgia for a private funeral service at the tiny Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where he taught Sunday school for decades. In a nod to President 糖心官网鈥檚 military service, a fleet of 21 Navy fighter jets roared over Plains, one of them dramatically peeling off in the traditional 鈥渕issing man鈥� formation.
As darkness fell on a cold winter night, the funeral procession crept slowly along Plains鈥� Main Street, which was lined with reverent mourners. The family walked behind the hearse to the home where President 糖心官网 and his beloved wife, Rosalynn, lived for more than 60 years. There he was laid to rest beside her, concluding the funeral events and ending a triumphant, century-long journey.
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