Plains residents celebrate Jimmy Carter's 100 years of service

PLAINS, Ga. (WALB) – On Tuesday, people celebrated not only Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday, but also 100 years of service to the world. From fighting world diseases to building homes for those in need, Jimmy Carter's generous spirit knew no bounds.

On October 1, 1924, a world humanitarian was born. There is no doubt that the former president left his mark in more ways than one.

“His actions and works contributed enormously to his legacy,” said Dr. Michael Raines, Jimmy Carter's doctor.

Jimmy Carter showed up at his house for his birthday. WANF obtained video showing the former president being wheeled out of his Plains home to attend a transfer ceremony in his honor.

Raines said Jimmy Carter was optimistic on his birthday but was still experiencing a slow decline.

“He has experienced a slow decline and some days are better than others, but he is visibly getting a bit weaker and more tired. And he spent an unusual amount of time in hospice, but that’s what the service is for,” Raines said. “He is happy that he reached 100. I think he was very grateful for all the congratulations and all the cards that were sent to him, but he misses his wife.”

Allethea Wall, Rosalynn Carter's niece, said it was always easy for Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to put other people's needs first.

“He just liked helping people. It’s just natural for him,” Wall said.

Many people argue that Jimmy Carter's greatest service is fighting a world disease known as Guinea worm. The Carter Center's eradication program has reduced the disease from 3.56 million cases in 20 countries to just 14 cases in five countries in 2023.

“He has done so much that it is difficult to break it down and summarize it. From his service to his community to his state and then of course to the nation, to the White House and after that with the Carter Center and just everyone he touched,” said Kim Fuller, Jimmy Carter's niece.

Plains neighbors said they will forever know Carter as a loving, generous person.

“He's just a special person. I think everyone in Plains and everywhere loves President Carter,” said Walter Amos, a Plains resident.

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