Trisha Yearwood And Garth Brooks Honor Rosalynn Carter In Song At Memorial Service

The two country icons performed a soulful rendition of "Imagine" in tribute to their friend.

Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta all four of the former First Ladies, Laura Bush, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, as well as former President Bill Clinton, President and Dr. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Dough Emhoff joined President Jimmy Carter and the rest of the Carter family to honor the life and legacy of Rosalynn Carter at a public memorial service. The Georgia native died earlier this month on November 19 at the age of 96.

The service was held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University and featured heartfelt tributes from son Chip and daughter Amy as well as grandson Jason. Several of the Carters’ great grandchildren shared some of their great grandmother’s favorite passages and close friends of the former First Lady spoke as well, including journalist Judy Woodruff and long time aide Kathryn Cade.

Along with the personal anecdotes and Bible passages, music was a big part of this service. The Atlanta Symphony orchestra was on hand to perform several spiritual tunes and longtime friends of the Carters, fellow Georgia native Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks also honored their late friend the best way they knew how, in song. The couple, both dressed in black and Brooks without his signature cowboy hat, performed a subdued, soulful rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Yearwood took the lead on vocals as her husband played guitar and leaned in on backup vocals for this beautiful, hopeful tune. As they finished, Yearwood tenderly touched the casket before taking Brooks’ hand and walking back to their seats.

Yearwood and Brooks announced earlier this year that they would lead this year’s installment of one of the former First Couple’s biggest passion projects–the Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity. Just last month the country music duo led over 1,000 volunteers in this year’s effort to build 27 affordable homes in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Though we could never fill their shoes, we are so incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to carry President and Mrs. Carter’s legacy forward through the continuation of the Carter Work Project,” Brooks said in a statement at the time.

A private funeral service for family and invited friends is set to take place Wednesday morning at the couple’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains.

You can find a full schedule at rosalynncartertribute.org.

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