Jimmy Carter updates on grandson's death while teaching Sunday school

PLAINS, Ga. -- President Jimmy Carter was late to his Bible study class Sunday morning - something he said never happens as he walked up to the front of the sanctuary. There he received hugs from those that likely already knew why.

His service started with an announcement of something that had preceded his arrival just hours before - and something that Carter's voice indicated had weighed heavily on his heart.

The grandson that had spent Thanksgiving with him just weeks before had died suddenly in the night.

Carter said his grandson, Jeremy, at just 28-year-old had excused himself from supper to lay down.

"So he went to his room to lay on the bed and when they went to see if he was OK and his heart quit beating," Carter said quietly in front of his class at Maranatha Baptist Church.

Carter said the young man, his grandson, was rushed to the hospital around 1:30 a.m. There, Carter said, his heart stopped again.

"So they tried to give him CPR but he passed away," Carter said to the full sanctuary now filling with audible gasps and short cries. "He was just 28 and a very wonderful young man who we loved very much."

Carter spoke briefly of Jeremy and how he was full of life and very special to him.

And then, as he has done for years and through his own health issues, he began teaching his Sunday school class.

It was the same class where he announced to many his cancer battles and, more recently, his triumphs against the aggressive disease.

Sunday's class continued on as planned with a theme related to the upcoming holiday.

"I hope that out of this Christmas season we'll remember what the angels song said: Joy to the world, and peace on Earth; good will to every person," he said.
http://www.11alive.com/story/news/l...immy-carters-grandson-dies-suddenly/77668762/