Friends of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter speak on their friendship

Lexington, Ky. (WTVQ) — Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died on Sunday.

Rosalynn was married to former president Jimmy Carter for more than 77 years.

She was known as his closest adviser who sat in on cabinet meetings and spoke out on controversial issues.

Lyle and Mary Diane Hanna, became friends with Rosalynn and Jimmy through Habitat for Humanity. They spoke on who Rosalynn was as person.

“We just know that she was right there every step of the way, encouraging him,” said Lyle. “She really really cared about people and you could see it when they were together, you knew it.”

“It’s very sad, they had such a great life for so many years and such an impact on the world,” said Mary Diane. “I mean not just individual people, but the whole world.”

Rosalynn Carter entered hospice care Friday.

The Carter Center says Rosalynn died Sunday after living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health.

She was 96 years old.