Poplar Bluff residents remember Jimmy Carter

On April 11, 1976, Sue Crites Szostak was a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia and she was preparing for her first opportunity to vote in a presidential election. It would also be her first opportunity to see a presidential candidate in person.

Jimmy Carter and his running mate Walter Mondale held a campaign rally in Columbia, and Szostak decided to attend.

“When Carter visited Columbia in 1976, he was not yet president but rather the Democratic presidential front-runner,” Szostak explained.

Throughout the years following that event, Szostak developed a high opinion of the former president.

“Jimmy Carter epitomized fairness, kindness, and leadership throughout his life. He lived his faith,” Szostak noted. “He tried to bring people together and helped many to find our commonality in order for us to improve our world together. Many books and articles have been written documenting his human rights efforts and accomplishments.”

In his later years, Carter became well known for his work with Habitat for Humanity. Carter started an annual home building event in the United States one year and internationally the next. The first Carter Work Project was held in New York City in 1984. According to the Habitat for Humanity organization, the Carters have worked with nearly 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate, and repair 4,390 homes.

“The passing of President Jimmy Carter is a loss felt by millions around the globe and certainly throughout the Habitat for Humanity organization,” a statement posted on the Habitat for Humanity website states. “A man deeply committed to social justice and basic human rights, President Carter dedicated himself to alleviating human suffering.”

Kathern Harris, director of the Succeeding in School tutoring program, said she feels very strongly about former president Carter.

“Even in 1977 at 32 years of age, I had a tremendous respect for the character of the newly elected President Carter.  He cared for the ordinary citizen. He was the President for ALL. He was unique,” Harris explained in a written statement. “He cared about the USA and he cared about the citizens of our country. I could feel his compassion for the common man. He cared and I loved that. When I look at my great-nephew, Karter, I have more than one reason to feel proud of the name, regardless to the spelling.”

Carter’s influence crossed party lines, as multiple representatives at the state and federal level have reflected kindly on the man since his passing.

“Today, I join in mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter, an admirable leader who served our country faithfully,” Republican Rep. Jason Smith wrote in a social media post. Smith represents District 7. “I met President Carter and his wife for the first time at President Trump’s inauguration in 2017, and was struck by his humility and down-to-earth nature. Please join me in sending prayers to his family during this difficult time. May we keep him in our hearts.”

Jean Turner Cross, president of the Butler County Democrats group, explained her affinity for Carter.

“The 1976 election was the first time I was eligible to vote, and I voted for Jimmy Carter. Historians have rated him as a mediocre president, but in my opinion, he was an example to all of how we should treat and help others,” Cross stated. “He led an exemplary personal life and showed us all what it really means to be a follower of Jesus.”