The Rose, Rosalynn Carter

President Carter taught me the significance of a one-woman man.

Rosalynn and President Carter, the Congressional Christmas Ball, Dec. 13, 1978 (Photo: Ira Schwarz - staff of Associated Press)

The Rose has died.

Rosalynn (pronounced ROSE-a-lyn) Carter (b. Aug. 18, 1928 - d. Nov. 19, 2023) died this past Lord’s Day, November 19, 2023.

Rosalynn and former President Jimm Carter celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary on July 6, 2023.

My father, William Paul Burleson, taught me to finish well. My friend, William Paul Young (author of The Shack), taught me to relate well. My faith brother, James Earl Carter, taught me to be married well.

Meeting President Carter

On Wednesday night, August 6, 2009, Rachelle and I were eating dinner in a hotel ballroom in Norman, Oklahoma, before a speech I would give to a group of about 2,000 Baptists at a national conference.

I felt a tap on my shoulder, and a voice whispered, “I want to meet one of my heroes.”

I turned around and saw it was President Jimmy Carter. I’d never met him before.

“Wade, I read everything you write,” Mr. Carter said.