The death of former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29 prompted memories of residents who interacted with him during his term in office, nearly 50 years ago. A National Day of Observance is being held today to honor Carter, who died at the age of 100.
The peanut farmer and governor of Georgia came from nowhere to claim the Democratic nomination and, in a nation still disillusioned by the mud of the Watergate political scandal, to victory in 1976. He became the nation’s 39th chief executive, serving one term until defeated by Ronald Reagan.
His successes and failures are being examined fully in this period of national mourning. Those are the big things. For Gloucester and Mathews residents, it was the everyday things that counted.
Sunday school teacher
Charlie and Eloise Davidson of Mathews, faithful members of the Mathews Baptist Church in Hudgins, made a point of worshiping at a Baptist church wherever they traveled.
In the summer of 1977, the Davidsons, now deceased, were completing a...