Lillian Gordy Carter Lillian Gordy Carter Bessie Lillian Gordy Carter (August 15, 1898 – October 30, 1983) was the mother of former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. She was also known for her contributions to nursing in her home state of Georgia and as a Peace Corps volunteer in India as well as writing two books during the Carter presidency. Carter was born Bessie Lillian Gordy on August 15, 1898 in Richland, Georgia, to James Jackson Gordy (1863–1948) and Mary Ida Nicholson Gordy (1871–1951). She was the niece of Berry Gordy, Sr., who was the paternal half-brother of James Jackson Gordy
Lillian Roth knowledge. In her autobiography, she described being molested by the man who painted her as a statue. The following year, she made her Broadway debut in "The Inner Man". Her motion-picture debut came in 1918 in "Pershing's Crusaders" as an extra. Together with her sister Ann, she toured as "Lillian Roth and Co." At times, the two were billed as "The Roth Kids". One of the most exciting moments for her came when she met U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. According to her autobiography, the president took Lillian and her sister for a ride around the block in his chauffeur-driven car,