'The whole world gonna miss you': Meet the woman whose home Jimmy Carter built

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Thirty-five years ago, the foundations of a home on the corner of 23rd and Walnut were nailed down with an honor best described as presidential.

Cecelia Dukuly was 36 years old when she got the call from Habitat for Humanity.

“For Jimmy Carter to build my house and to choose me to do that,” said Dukuly, “I can just tell you it was a joy for us. I was just happy, that’s all.”

Dukuly would be building her own home alongside the 39th president of the United States.

“Godsent. For him to do that job, for me and for other people, not only just me,” said Dukuly, “For the first time, to see him, and face to face? I was happy.”

While Mr. Carter worked primarily on Dukuly’s home, he helped build five others in Milwaukee in 1989 and restored several others.

“They were up on the roof, putting siding, nailing this and that, and I was like, oh my God,” said Dukuly. “It is special.”

On Dec. 29, 35 years later, Dukuly got another call.

“My grandson called and said, ‘Mama, your president is dead.’ I said, ‘what?’ I dropped the phone down. I said, ‘Oh my God, that can’t be,’” said Dukuly.

Mr. Carter was 100 years old.

“I was sad. Today, all day, I’ve been sad,” said Dukuly.

Dukuly says while Mr. Carter is best known for leading the country, she remembers him for his kindness.

“Other people that get in charge, or lead, follow his footsteps,” said Dukuly. “I thought, go in peace and meet your wife. I said, the whole world gonna miss you.”

Kindness, Dukuly says, that’s laid down by President Carter in the foundation of her home.

“They say, your house is gonna last forever because he built it. And I said "well, thank God for that,’” said Dukuly.