Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away November 19 at the age of 96, will always be remembered as someone who devoted her life serving the nation, not only during the time at the White House, but beyond.

She was an advocate for women’s rights and spent her lifetime raising awareness about mental health.

On January 20, 1977, Jimmy was inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States. Rosalynn was by his side and wore the same gown she had worn when he was sworn in as Georgia Governor years earlier.

During his presidency, Roselynn wasn’t just a First Lady, but she was her husband’s closest advisor and stood by his side supporting every decision he made as a head of the country.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” former president Jimmy Carter said in the statement following her passing. “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.”

The Carters tied the knot on July 7, 1946, in their hometown of Plains, Georgia, where they celebrated the special milestone.

Rosalynn’s family lived next to Jimmy’s and she was a very good friend with his sister. She remembered that Jimmy’s sister had a photo of him on the wall and she fell in love with that photo showing young Jimmy wearing his uniform.

“I didn’t know a single boy I thought I’d want to spend my life with until Jimmy Carter came calling,” Rosalynn explained.

When Jimmy returned to Plains on a break from the Naval Academy, his then-girlfriend was away at a family reunion, so he missed the opportunity to see her.

“I was cruising around with my sister, Ruth, and her boyfriend, just looking for a date, and I picked up Rosalynn in front of the Methodist church,” Jimmy recalled in What Makes a Marriage Last. When he laid eyes on Rosalynn, he immediately knew she was the one.