Jimmy Carter National Historical Park open for mourners of late president
PLAINS, Ga. - A century after former President Jimmy Carter’s humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia, his hometown is in mourning.
"For me and a lot of the people here in Plains, we're going to have to get used to a world without Jimmy Carter, and that's going to be very tough," said Jill Stuckey.
Stuckey may have the official title as superintendent of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains, but the label of Mr. Carter’s friend is the only one she cares about. She first met him and his late wife Rosalynn three decades ago. Over the last number of years, she saw them basically daily, so this loss is personal.
"I'm the luckiest person there is. I got to meet my heroes, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, 30 years ago, and I got to spend quality time with them," she said.
At the national historical park that bears his name, Mr. Carter’s portrait is surrounded by a black drape. Visitors are taking it in as they learn about his life from the beginning to the end.
With his passing, friends like Stuckey say they will continue to make sure his life and legacy are not forgotten. "She's also one of the hundreds of people working to pull off his memorial services, which start Saturday in nearby Americus, up to Atlanta, then Washington D.C., before ending at his final resting place at his home in Plains."
"I think he'd be a little embarrassed because all the fuss is about him, and he always liked all the fuss to be about the causes he was working on at the Carter Center or Habitat for Humanity," Stuckey said.
Since his death, the National Park Service says visitation to Plains is at least five times higher than normal.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5's Tyler Fingert.