All About Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter’s Modest Georgia Home, Where They’ve Lived for 60 Years and Will Be Buried

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:David Goldman/AP

David Goldman/AP

Former PresidentJimmy Carterand his late wifeRosalynn Carternever moved from the modest Georgia home they built in 1961 — even after their four years in the White House.

The ranch house, located in their hometown of Plains, in Sumter County, is theburial sitefor Rosalynn, whodied in November 2023at the age of 96.

The 39th president, whodied Dec. 29 at age 100, will alsohave his final resting place therefollowing two funeral services, in Washington and Georgia.

In 2018, theWashington Postreported that the two-bedroom residence, then assessed at $167,000, was “less than the value of the armored Secret Service vehicles parked outside.” Zillow currently estimates the house to be worth about $240,000.

The Carters' Plains, Georgia, home in 1976.Guy DeLort/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

Guy DeLort/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

“He doesn’t like big shots, and he doesn’t think he’s a big shot,” Gerald Rafshoon, who was Jimmy’s White House communications director, told thePost.

The Carters deeded the property to the National Park Service with the understanding the grounds would be turned into a museum after their deaths.

Jimmy, who served as the U.S. president from 1977 to 1981, and Rosalynn, a lifelong mental health and human rights advocate, maintained an unpretentious lifestyle that included flying commercial and taking regular walks down Church Street, the town’s main drag. Jimmy taught Sunday school at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church for decades.

The Carters' Plains, Georgia, home in 1976.UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty

UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty

In 2011, the couple’s grandson Jason Carter toldRolling Stone, “To me, the thing I admire most about my grandfather and grandmother is that they’ve done everything they can to stay normal people.”

“They built their house in the 1960s, and they almost haven’t changed a thing,” Jason added. “They were super excited — legitimately excited! — when the Dollar General store opened in Plains. They buy their clothes there.”

“My grandparents, their microwave is from 1985," Jason, a former state senator, added. “It goestick tick tick tick!It takes 12 minutes ticking down to pop popcorn, because why would you buy a new microwave? The point is that nothing is easy, and why should it be?”

Jimmy Carter is seen at his home following a morning church service at Maranatha Baptist Church in August 2018.Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty

Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty

Jimmy grew up on his family’s peanut farm in the community of Archery, a few miles from Plains. They didn’t have running water until he was 11 and only got electricity three years later.

“The greatest day in my life was not being inaugurated president, [and] it wasn’t even marrying Rosalynn — it was when they turned the electricity on,” Jimmy said, according to theNew York Times.

In August 2023, another grandson of the couple, Josh Carter,told PEOPLEthat the Plains home was “quiet and calm” these days, adding that since Jimmy began hospice, there was “always somebody at the house” to keep his grandparents company.

The former president and first lady shared sons John William “Jack,” James Earl “Chip,” Donnel Jeffrey “Jeff” and daughterAmy Carter. Between theirfour adult children,there are 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The former first lady will soon be buried at the Plains residence.

Jimmy Carter addresses the media in 1988, alongside Democratic party presidential hopeful Richard Gephardt (C) and Rosalynn Carter.MIKE SPRAGUE/AFP via Getty

MIKE SPRAGUE/AFP via Getty

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In astatementreleased after her death, the former president said, “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

He is to be honored with two funeral services — one in Washington, D.C., and one in Plains. By Thursday’s end, the 39th U.S. president will beburied beside his wife.

source: people.com