Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96

According to a statement from the Carter Center, former first lady Rosalynn Carter passed away late Sunday afternoon, she was 96.

Noting she passed away peacefully with her family at her side, the report notes, "Mrs. Carter was married for 77 years to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is now 99 years old."

In a statement, 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.”

Her son Chip added, "Besides being a loving mother and extraordinary First Lady, my mother was a great humanitarian in her own right. Her life of service and compassion was an example for all Americans. She will be sorely missed not only by our family but by the many people who have better mental health care and access to resources for caregiving today.

The Carter Center statement added a "schedule of memorial events and funeral ceremonies will be distributed as soon as possible"