Why Carter Family Members Wore Leis to Rosalynn Carter's Private Funeral Service

Ahead of Rosalynn's burial on Wednesday, family and close friends gathered at the Carters' hometown church for one final commemoration to the former first lady

Rosalynn Carter's private funeral on Wednesday included a special nod to the late first lady's love of Hawaii, as family members arrived wearing traditional leis around their necks.

The Carter Center told PEOPLE that the leis came from a couple who are "close friends of the Carters and who live in Hawaii." The couple offered to ship leis out to Georgia for the ceremony.

Former President Jimmy Carter, 99, wore a lei of red flowers for the occasion, while other family members, including the Carter children, wore brightly colored leis as well.

The accessories were a nod to the Carters' time in Hawaii, which came during Jimmy's Naval career when he was stationed at the USS Pomfret at Pearl Harbor in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Related: The Carter Family Says a Final Goodbye to Rosalynn at a Private Funeral: Photos

"The family was happy to receive them and eager to wear them," a spokesperson for the Carter Center told PEOPLE. "Given Pastor Tony Lowden’s description of the funeral as a celebration of Mrs. Carter’s life, the festive flowers seemed quite appropriate."

The couple's son, Chip Carter, even got his nickname in Hawaii. Born James Earl Carter III in Hawaii in April 1950, he spoke about his nickname during Tuesday's tribute ceremony for his mother.

Related: Jimmy Carter Attends Rosalynn Carter’s Private Funeral at Church Where He Taught Sunday School

"'Chip' is Hawaiian for 'baby,' and my blue armband when I was born had 'Chip Carter' written on it, which meant 'baby Carter,'" he explained — "and that's how I got the name Chip."

Elsewhere in his remarks delivered at Tuesday's private tribute ceremony, Chip said that Rosalynn often reminisced about their time in Hawaii — even after being diagnosed with dementia in May.

Related: Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter's Relationship Timeline: Inside Their 77-Year Marriage

"One day, my mother was sitting with my wife, Becky, and she was reminiscing on what it was like to go to live in Hawaii, and she was talking about learning all the native dances," Chip said. "She got up from the sofa, pushed her walker away, which she couldn't take her step without, and proceeded to do the hula for two or three minutes."

According to the Carter Center, Rosalynn learned hula dancing while living in Hawaii, and even once won a hula dancing contest while there.

He continued: "She grabbed her walker, turned around, sat back on the sofa, turned to my wife and said, 'That's how you do it.' "

Related: Rosalynn Carter Practiced Tai Chi with a Sword, Says Grandson Jason: ‘She Was a Cool Grandma’

Rosalynn entered hospice care just days ahead of her death on Nov. 19 at age 96.

According to a news release from The Carter Center, she died "peacefully" at her longtime Plains, Georgia, home "with her family by her side."

In an accompanying statement, President Carter said, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."

Related: Jimmy Carter's Kids Console Him During Rosalynn Carter's Tribute Ceremony

On Wednesday, an intimate funeral service limited to family and close friends was held in Plains, Georgia, and hosted by Maranatha Baptist Church — where Jimmy taught Sunday school for many years after his presidency.

The service marked the last commemorative event of the week before Rosalynn's interment at the Carter family residence, and follows other services, including the star-studded tribute service in Atlanta on Tuesday.

At the Atlanta service, Jimmy sat in the front row with two of his children on each side. Also in the front row were President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton and every living U.S. first lady — Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump and Jill Biden.

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