For Sally Mae Hollis, the three-bedroom house she has called home for 36 years is more than a place to live—it’s evidence of the compassion and generosity of former President Jimmy Carter.
“This is Jimmy’s home!” Hollis, 86, tells visitors, referring to Carter, who helped build her Atlanta house in 1988 through Habitat for Humanity.
The former president, who passed away on Dec. 29 at age 100, left an indelible mark on Hollis and countless others through his tireless efforts with the nonprofit organization.
Carter, along with his wife Rosalynn, championed Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable housing worldwide. Over his lifetime, he contributed to the construction or repair of 4,447 homes in 14 countries, often picking up a hammer himself.
“He was so plain, just like everybody else,” Hollis reminisced.
She vividly recalls Carter personally cutting wood and helping finish the back porch of her home, which remained intact for 30 years before being replaced last month.
For Hollis, the experience of building her home alongside the Carters was transformative.
“If it weren’t for Jimmy Carter, I’d still be going from apartment to apartment,” she said. “He put me in this house, and I’m planning on staying here until they take me out.”
Thumbing through scrapbooks filled with photos and clippings of her home’s construction, Hollis reflected on Carter’s legacy of kindness and humility.
“The man had love. He cared for people,” she said. “And in this world, you got to know love. You got to have love. We are all sisters and brothers. That’s what a lot of people don’t understand.”
The Carters’ work on Hollis’ home went beyond hammering nails—they shared meals, built friendships, and exemplified the spirit of community. For Hollis, Carter’s impact was not just about a physical house but a profound demonstration of love and humanity.
“It would be the grace of God if we can find another human like Jimmy Carter,” Hollis said. “I thank him for it. I really do. I love him for it.”
Carter’s legacy with Habitat for Humanity continues to inspire, having transformed lives in over 70 countries and provided shelter for more than 59 million people.
