Jimmy Carter Addresses Sunday School Class Hours After The Sudden Death Of His Grandson

Former President Jimmy Carter broke the news to his church on Sunday that his grandson Jeremy Carter died suddenly at the age of 28, using the occasion to speak candidly about grief.

As first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carter arrived at church about 25 minutes late and told his Sunday school class that Jeremy had died just hours earlier.

Despite his sudden loss, Carter told the congregation to “be filled with a sense of joy and thanksgiving." “I should be joyful and thankful to God for giving me both life and freedom,” he said.

The former president regularly teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Just two weeks ago, Carter, 91, appeared under more happy circumstances -- he announced to the church that radiation treatment had successfully eliminated his cancer.

"Jeremy Carter had not been feeling well [on Saturday], and at some point later in the day he had gone to sleep, and during the course of that time, his heart stopped," he said. "[President Carter] was shaken. He was obviously sad, although he was able to teach and he was able to present the lesson as well as he always has. But it was apparent to everyone there that this was weighing on him very heavily." - More at the huffingtonpost

Jimmy Carter Addresses Sunday School Class Hours After The Sudden Death Of His Grandson