On Dec. 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter, the only president from Georgia, died at the age of 100. Born in Plains, in 1924, Carter grew up in a small farming community that shaped his fundamental values of hard work, humility, and service. While controversial during his term, Carter’s post-presidential legacy has made him one of the most respected and impactful former presidents in American history.
After leaving the White House, Carter returned to his hometown of Plains. He used his influence to promote peace, democracy and public health, and in 1982, he and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter established The Carter Center in Atlanta. The Center has helped improve life for people in more than 65 countries, leading groundbreaking initiatives such as the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease and the monitoring of elections across the globe.
Beyond his work with the Center, Carter continued to embody the spirit of service through his deep involvement with Habitat for Humanity, building homes for those in need well into his 90’s. He also remained active in his church, Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where he taught Sunday school for decades.
Carter also has direct ties to our school. His granddaughter, Amy Carter, was a teacher here, and both of her sons went here. Many students fondly recall Carter visiting for Grandparents Day, where he took the time to shake hands with students and parents. More recently, our community celebrated his birthday in October, an event organized by Natalie Rogovin. When asked why she felt. Carter deserved to be celebrated, Rogovin cited his lasting impact on education as thefounder of the Department of Education. “As a teacher, to have a politician who demonstrated a support and interest in education is worth celebrating,” Rogovin says.
Jimmy Carter’s legacy is not simply that of a former president, but of a humanitarian whose roots in Georgia shaped a lifetime of service. His story is one of resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place—starting from his small hometown and reaching across the globe.
