North Nashville neighborhood remembers Jimmy Carter
The 39th President of the United States left his mark on Nashville in 2019.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Homeowners in the Park Preserve neighborhood of North Nashville are remembering former President Jimmy Carter.
The 39th President of the United States, who dedicated his life to public service after he left office, died at the age of 100 on Sunday.
Carter, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian work around the world, had been in hospice care since February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he lived with his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
In October 2019, the couple worked alongside 21 homeowners as they constructed their homes through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville. The Carters came to Nashville for the “Carter Work Project,” a partnership that brought together more than 1,500 volunteers.
“He picked up a hammer and 63 million people have better lives because of it,” says Sherry Stinson, SVP of Communication for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville.
For several days in 2019, Carter was on the job site working on homes and leading a morning devotional, where he was quoted: “You can decide to reach out and help other people, or be stingy and only take care of yourself.”
Homeowner Tara Morgan worked alongside the former president and his wife during the build.
“I’m just honored to know that President Carter helped build my home,” says Morgan. “I know that some of the grace that he and his wife carried was left in this home for me.”
Homeowner Brenda Wilson remembers him, too.
“He was just a soul and a spirit you didn’t want to lose, you know he was just a sweet person [with a] big ole heart,” says Wilson.
President Joe Biden ordered an official state funeral to be held in Washington and issued a proclamation, declaring Jan. 9 to be a national day of mourning.
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