Just two weeks after gleefully announcing that he was now cancer-free, former president Jimmy Carter brought somber news to his class at Sunday school: his 28-year-old grandson Jeremy had passed away.
The 91-year-old Carter arrived 25 minutes late to his class at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. This was the first time Carter had been tardy, media reports said.
Carter told his Church family that Jeremy had died hours earlier. A day before, Jeremy said he was not feeling well and then took a nap in their home in Peachtree City.
Jeremy's mother found him hours later and realized that her son's heart had stopped beating. Family members attempted CPR, and then rushed Jeremy to the hospital so doctors could resuscitate him. Sadly, Jeremy died Sunday morning. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
"After we were there about 20 minutes his heart stopped beating again. So they tried to give him CPR, but he passed away. He was just 28 and a wonderful young man whom we loved very much," said Carter.
Church members said Jeremy Carter was "a great, fun-loving guy" who visited his grandparents in Plains as often as he could.
Despite his family's deep sorrow, Carter urged his congregation to be filled with a sense of thanksgiving and joy. "I should be joyful and thankful to God for giving me both life and freedom," said Carter, who continued his class and took pictures with those in attendance.
Maranatha member Jan Williams said it was not surprising.
"That's the kind of Christian he is. Everything that happens in life, good or bad, he uses as a teaching experience," said Williams.
Maranatha Pastor Jeremy Shoulta said Carter's decision to attend his Sunday school class despite the sad news shows how important the church and the act of teaching is to the former president.
Shoulta said the past few months have been very emotional for the church.
"There have been moments of great joy, of sadness, of grief. The church has done all it can to lift the Carters up during this difficult time," he added.
Jeremy Carter was the son of Jeff and Annette Carter. When he was alive, Jeremy had accompanied his grandfather on initiatives with the Carter Center in Atlanta.
Photo : Kate Brooks via The Elders | Flickr
