PLAINS, Ga. (WALB) – On Tuesday, people celebrated not only Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, but also his 100 years of service to the entire world. From fighting global diseases to building homes for those in need, Jimmy Carter’s giving spirit knew no bounds.

On October 1, 1924, a humanitarian world citizen was born. There’s no doubt that the former president made his mark in more ways than one.

“His actions and his works contributed immensely to his legacy,” said Dr. Michael Raines, Jimmy Carter’s doctor.

Jimmy Carter showed up outside his house for his birthday. WANF has obtained video showing the former president being driven outside his Plains home to attend a flyover ceremony in his honor.

Raines said Jimmy Carter was optimistic about his birthday, but also continues to experience a slow decline.

‘He is slowly getting worse and some days are better than others, but he is visibly getting a little weaker and tired. And he has spent an unusual amount of time in hospice, but that’s what the service is for,” Raines said. “He is happy that he reached 100. I think he really appreciated all the congratulations and all the cards that were sent, but he does miss his wife.”

Allethea Wall, Rosalynn Carter’s niece, said it was always easy for Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to put the needs of others first.

“He just enjoyed helping people. It just comes naturally to him,” Wall said.

Many people claim that Jimmy Carter’s greatest act of service is fighting a global disease known as Guinea Worm. The Carter Center’s eradication program has reduced the disease from 3.56 million cases in 20 countries to just 14 cases in five countries by 2023.

“He’s done so much that it’s hard to compartmentalize it all and put it all together. From his service to his community to his state and then of course to the nation, to the White House and then with the Carter Center and just everyone he touched,” said Kim Fuller, Jimmy Carter’s niece.

Neighbors in Plains said they will forever know Carter as a loving, giving person.

“He’s just a special person. I think everyone in Plains and everywhere, everyone loves President Carter,” said Walter Amos, a Plains resident.

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