Jimmy Carter's 28-year-old grandson dead

PLAINS, Ga., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The grandson of former president Jimmy Carter died early Sunday morning, officials said. The cause is not known. He was 28.

Former President Jimmy Carter began the Sunday school class he has taught for years a little late and with a heavy heart. He told his class of the death of his grandson just hours earlier.

Jeremy Carter excused himself from dinner the night before because he told his family he wasn't feeling well.

"So he went to his room to lay on the bed and when they went to see if he was OK, his heart quit beating," Carter told his class at Maranatha Baptist Church.

The family performed CPR and Jeremy was rushed to the hospital about 1:30 a.m Eastern Time. But his heart stopped again.

"They tried to give him CPR, but he passed away," Carter said to an emotional room of people. "He was just 28 and a very wonderful young man who we loved very much."

Jeremy was the middle of three children of Jeff and Annette Carter. Jeff Carter is the third of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's four children, according to georgiaenclyclopedia.org. Jeff was an adult during Carter's presidency.

Maranatha Baptist Church Rev. Jeremy Shoulta asked his congregation to pray for the Carter family during his sermon.

During his Sunday school class, Shoulta said Carter completed his lesson, but "it was apparent to everyone there that this was weighing on him very heavily.

"Our church plays an important role in his (President Carter's) life and he feels committed to his responsibilities here at the church," Shoulta said. "His presence at the church today gave him an opportunity to fulfill his obligations to the church and also to feel the loving presence of his faith community."

The 91-year-old former president was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August, but recently announced his treatments had worked and he was cancer free.