Hours after grandson’s death, Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school

[MADem]

Source: AJC.com

2:36 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015 | Filed in: Local News

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Jeremy Carter, 28, died early Sunday after his heart stopped at his family’s home in Peachtree City.

PLAINS — On Sunday, two weeks after making the cheerful announcement that there was no sign of cancer on his brain, former President Jimmy Carter shared much more somber news with his church family in Plains.

His grandson, 28-year-old Jeremy Carter, had died just hours earlier.

Sporting his typical bolo tie, the 91-year-old Carter arrived about 25 minutes late for his regular Sunday school class at Maranatha Baptist Church — the first time he’d ever been tardy, he said — and offered a surprising amount of insight into his family’s heartbreak before delivering his previously planned lesson.


But the fact that he appeared at all was the real message, attendees said.

“I’m not surprised,” Maranatha member Jan Williams said. “That’s the kind of Christian he is. Everything that happens in life, good or bad, he uses as a teaching experience. He lives his life as a lesson for other people to see.” (MUCH more at link)

Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/hours-after-grandsons-death-jimmy-carter-teaches-s/npn6n/

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The "LBN" is that Jeremy Carter, Jimmy's grandson, has died--the Sunday school element is something he does routinely. What a shame, how sad for Jimmy. So close to a religious holiday that is important to them, too....

[randys1]

1. The guy is one hell of a man, human, citizen, friend, and all around good joe.

[MADem]

2. I agree. One of the things I really like about him is that he never stops learning and evolving.

Every day he spends on earth, he works to be and do better.

It's a lesson I try to take to heart; I've got a long road before I ever get as good at it as Carter is....

[hlthe2b]

14. Absolutely.... He is deserving of so much more in terms of respect and acknowledgement for all he

has accomplished.

[2naSalit]

3. How sad!

Have to read the link for more details but, man, what a sad event at this time of year.

[MADem]

17. The kid's heart just stopped. Unexpected. No foul play. 28 and ... poof. Gone.

Life is fleeting.

JC's heart must be aching right now.



This picture was taken in 2009, when Jeremy was 22, at a picnic in Turkey for "Global Elders" and their grandchildren where they focused on climate issues. Jeremy is the kid in the blue shirt.

[2naSalit]

31. Thanks for the info.

I lost a lot of people this past year and can totally relate, most were unexpected.

It's always worse when this happens during the holidays. I don't do much observing of holidays but I am respectful of what it means to others and for someone who is a true practitioner of his faith, I really feel for him and his family.

[brush]

46. One of Jimmy Carter's young relatives is the one who broke the story of the Romney 47% remark . . .

Last edited Mon Dec 21, 2015, 07:36 AM - Edit history (1)

and got it out to the media.

Is this the young man who did that?

[MADem]

47. No, it was James--he introduced the filmer, a bartender, to David Corn, who fired up the media.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/03/the-lesson-of-mitt-romneys-47-percent-video-be-nice-to-the-wait-staff/

[brush]

48. Thanks, MaDem.

[J_J_]

52. Did he drink energy drinks by chance?

There’s been a lot of controversy about caffeine-spiked energy drinks in recent years after a spate of deaths and overdoses related to the beverages. In one of the most heartbreaking cases, 14-year-old Anais Fournier of Maryland died after consuming two 24-ounce cans of an energy drink. The Food and Drug Administration has been studying such cases to determine if there’s a causal link and, if so, what to do about it....

Systolic blood pressure (the top number): 6.2 percent increase.

• Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number): 6.8 percent increase.

• Average blood pressure: 6.4 percent increase.

Writing in JAMA, the researchers said these changes may predispose those who drink a single drink to increased cardiovascular risk.

This may explain why a number of those who died after consuming energy drinks appeared to have had heart attacks.

http://www.adn.com/article/20151112/after-downing-energy-drink-what-happens-body-kind-scary

Anyone else notice how many young people are dying of 'natural' causes these days with no real explanation?

[MADem]

55. No idea. I've heard that about those things, though.

Some detail about the young man: http://heavy.com/news/2015/12/jeremy-carter-dead-died-age-rip-cause-of-death-jimmy-carter-grandson-maranatha-what-happened-funeral/

[Botany]

4. From the article .... thanx for posting

"He stayed through the full church service and took pictures with well-wishers afterward, not wanting to disappoint."


I was so young and stupid @ the time and I never understood what a good man you are ande were.

[LiberalArkie]

5. That is such sad news at a time that should bring happiness to the family.

[Faygo Kid]

6. I remember Ike and JFK, so I certainly remember Carter. All class.

Jimmy Carter may not have been the best president, but he is the best ex-president ever, eclipsing John Quincy Adams. Sympathies, Jimmy, and thanks.

[LiberalArkie]

7. I think Carter did pretty good considering what he had to work with.

[yeoman6987]

8. A veto proof house 292 seats) and a majority senate (61 seats)

Nobody has it that good. What do you mean work with?

[Kingofalldems]

10. Attacking Jimmy Carter on a thread about his grandson?

Reads like something from the conservative cave.

[hlthe2b]

12. indeed... really really ugly to do so...

[LiberalArkie]

13. I guess the fact that everyone in DC hated the fact that a "no-name governor for GA" was elected.

And then the Arab oil boycott because of the Israel-Egypt peace accord. He accomplished a lot in 4 years, but Iranian hostage situation really did him in/

[TexasProgresive]

24. I agree with most of this.

I think Iran-Contra is really what did him in. I think he would've been reelected but for Bush.

[LiberalArkie]

25. Yep...

[No Vested Interest]

29. Walter Cronkite, most respected newsman at the time, drove home

the fact that American hostages were still being held every evening, as he closed his newscasts with:

"100th ( or the appropriate daily count} day Americans are being held hostage " etc.

The daily drumbeat was devastating to Carter's election plans.

[MADem]

37. I thought that was Ted Koppel's NIGHTLINE.

That show was CREATED to provide hostage updates, and when that ended, it turned INTO "Nightline."

Koppel talks about the show, the challenge to Carter from Teddy Kennedy, etc., here:

[No Vested Interest]

41. Beginning with day 50 of the hostages' captivity, Walter Cronkite nightly ended his broadcast with

"and that's the way it is - day (insert number) of the capitivity of American hostages".

This daily reminder of the humiliation continued - in prime time, as the evening news was in the 1970's- until day 444, when the hostages were released immediately after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as US president.

Since Cronkite was a fatherly figure, welcomed into Americans' homes each weekday evening, his statement had a profound effect, intended or unintended, of reflecting poorly on President Jimmy Carter.

[MADem]

43. Well, I wasn't in USA at the time--I did get back towards the end but didn't see

much television. A lot of the TV that I have seen of that time has been more recently; nostalgia tapes and histories and so forth.

[No Vested Interest]

44. I have great respect for Jimmy Carter. Spouse and I visited his

Sunday school class in the late 90's. Spouse was using a walker, so we were seated up front.
As is well known of Jimmy and Rosalyn, they posed for photos with each one who wanted after the service.
The photos have a place of honor on my mantle.

[MADem]

45. Wish I could rec this post of yours! How wonderful to have those

photos and memories.

[displacedtexan]

49. Could you clean up after Richard Nixon in 4 years?

Carter was a wonderful president who is loved the world around.

[LanternWaste]

50. Ahhh... the simplicity of a mind allowing one merely the house and senate as obstacles

Ahhh... the simplicity of a mind allowing one merely the house and senate as obstacles to a presidency.

[yeoman6987]

53. Well it was his administration and he was leader of the country

So whatever it was. It was what it was.

[840high]

9. My condolences to the family.

[mountain grammy]

11. Heartbreaking.

Love to the Carter family.

[sufrommich]

15. How terribly sad for the Carter family. Jimmy Carter is a saint,

I adore him.

[MissDeeds]

16. Heartbreaking news

I'm sure those who knew and loved Jeremy are crushed by his sudden death and it coming at this time of year. My heart goes out to the Carter family. Such a terrible blow...

What a dear man he is, to go to his church, teach and stay for the full service. I'm sure it gave him a great deal of comfort.

[brer cat]

18. So sad.

My heart goes out to the Carter family.

[PDittie]

19. The man should be canonized.

And I say that as an atheist.

[narnian60]

27. Totally agree.

[2naSalit]

33. !!!

Good on you! I'm pretty close to atheist and I feel much the same way. I voted for that president and have never regretted it.

[cindyperry]

20. Aw

How sad

[City Lights]

21. Absolutley heartbreaking.

Peace to the family.

[Duppers]

22. So sad. Yes, Pres. Carter is something else.

Kpete posted this earlier...

[Eleanors38]

54. That sums it up.

[Dont call me Shirley]

23. Jeremy...

I'm sorry for your loss, President Carter

[rurallib]

26. just imagine how much different this country would be if "christians"

practiced their faith the way Carter does.

So sorry to hear of such a sudden and stunning loss.

[Thinkingabout]

28. Jimmy Carter is a fine christian man, he left the SBC because of hate in the church.

I know how he felt about leaving, I did the same. He has worked hard on his housing project, always willing to give to others. I am so sorry to hear about his loss of his grandson. I bet Jimmy has many good memories of his grandson.

[jwirr]

30. Condolences to the family. It does not surprise me that he

taught his class and attended church. As a Christian I know that when this kind of event happens our faith is where we get our comfort from.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

57. In the Jewish tradition, the prayer said after a death is the Mourner's Kaddish

May God's great name be exalted and made holy in the world which God created according to his will.

May God's majesty be revealed in the days of our lifetime and the life of all Israel, to which we say "Amen".

Blessed be God's great name forever. Blessed, praised, honored, exalted, extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded be the name of the Holy One, beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. To which we say "Amen".

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and all Israel, to which we say "Amen".

May the One who creates peace on high, bring peace to us and to all Israel. To which we say "Amen".

This prayer is reminding us of our faith in God even though we mourn for a loved one. This is clearly the attitude Carter has as well.

[jwirr]

58. Yes, thank you for that prayer. I had not seen it before. It

does reflect the attitude of a Christian and is definitely something we carried over from the Jewish faith.

[GeorgeGist]

32. Creepy.

In my opinion.

[MADem]

38. Why creepy? You can't abandon the living, I think that's probably his attitude.

I can't speak to his belief system, but he probably thinks his grandson is in "a better place," as they say.

[LanternWaste]

51. No doubt, bias drives your thought in that particular direction.

No doubt, bias drives your thought in that particular direction.

[NastyRiffraff]

34. I could respect Christians more

as a whole if more of them were like Jimmy Carter. My condolences to him and his family.

[Ilsa]

35. This news, this situation, reminds me of a moment on Thirty-Something:

The tall, blonde, Scandinavian-looking friend had just been killed in a massive car accident/pile-up. His friend's wife and her family and friends were celebrating her beating ovarian cancer. She's grief-stricken, but says something like, "He dies. But I get better," thinking about the irony, the suddenness and shock of the news.

Jimmy was cured. Jimmy got better. But his young grandson suddenly dies. It's a shocking thing to have to think about.

Prayers for this family.

[Hekate]

36. I'm so sorry -- their hearts must be broken...

[montana_hazeleyes]

39. Condolences to President Carter and family

on this devastating and sudden loss.

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. Heartbreaking news.

[JDPriestly]

42. I wish both condolences and thanks to Jimmy Carter.

What a great man. What a very sad day due to the loss of his grandson.

[47of74]

56. Condolences to the family.

[liberalnarb]

59. Poor Jimmy.