Gov. Kay Ivey has authorized flags flown at half-staff in the capitol complex and across Alabama for 30 days in honor of President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100.

The governor’s proclamation summarized the public service of Carter, the peanut farmer, engineer, Navy officer, and Sunday school teacher who worked for causes such as Habitat for Humanity for decades after leaving the White House:

“A native of Plains, Georgia, approximately 40 miles from the Alabama state line, Jimmy Carter first served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Navy. After his father died, he left military service to return home to take over the family peanut farm. In 1962, Carter entered politics running successfully for the Georgia State Senate. In 1970, he won the Georgia Governor’s race. In December 1974, Jimmy Carter jumped into the Democratic primary for President among a field of more than a dozen candidates. His long-shot candidacy was not only victorious in the primary but ultimately in the 1976 general election. He served one term in office as President during which time our country faced many challenges from an energy shortage to U.S. diplomats being taken hostage in Iran.

“After leaving the White House in 1981, Carter forged the longest post presidency of any American chief executive. He was well known for his advocacy of international human rights through the Carter Center, and his hands-on assistance to disadvantaged persons through his years of volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. Jimmy Carter not only lived the longest of any former U.S. President, but his life also brought greater dignity to the presidency.”

Carter’s death on Sunday came more than a year after he entered hospice care at his home in Plains. Carter’s wife, Rosalynn, died in November 2023 at age 96.

Archibald: Mourn Jimmy Carter, and grieve for America, too

JD Crowe: Tribute to Jimmy Carter, our greatest former president