A waitress who served the late former US president Jimmy Carter said she walked away from her encounter with a cherished photograph and valuable life advice.

Barbara Johnson, 68, recalled serving the politician and his protection staff more than 20 years ago while working at Speciality Inn in Devonshire.

She said that, before he left, she introduced herself to Mr Carter and told him she wanted to take a photograph but could not find the time.

Ms Johnson added that the former president then gave her advice that she followed to this day: “Always find time”.

Mr Carter served as the 37th president of the United States between 1977 and 1981. He died in his Georgia home on Sunday aged 100.

Ms Johnson said that Mr Carter had been on the island in 2000, during which he was guest of honour for the opening of Habitat for Humanity’s Bermuda branch and was invited to speak in the House of Assembly.

She admitted: “I don’t even recall back then if he was announced he was coming, I just know that it was a great surprise.

“When I was told that this was president Jimmy Carter I was like ‘what?’ I couldn’t believe it.”

Ms Johnson said that she continued to serve “the few other customers that were still there” in spite of the celebrity guest.

She added that she finally introduced herself to Mr Carter as he neared the end of his meal.

Ms Johnson said: “I recall passing him and I said, ‘oh my God, I wish I had time to take a picture with you’.

“And then he said to me these words — ‘you always find time’.

“I said ‘OK, well, I think I have time now’.”

The former president, according to Ms Johnson, then sat her down and allowed a co-worker to take several photographs of the two.

She described Mr Carter as “wise” and “the most pleasant person ever,” adding that the encounter was “like a dream”.

Ms Johnson added: “We talked and we cracked a few jokes about Bermuda.

“He said he felt so at home here and that he loved the place.

“He had so much wisdom and was such a calm and pleasant human being.

“He just sat with me and talked to me like I was a person.”

Ms Johnson said that his advice remained with her because it reminded her to slow down and enjoy the present.

She explained: “In life we’re so busy and we’re so caught up in doing everything else, but the present is still precious.

“It was like he was saying ‘always make time, because you can never replace it’.

“That’s why it stuck with me — no matter what, you make time.

Ms Johnson added: “Time is not promised the next day — and that’s what that meant to me.

“No matter what little time you’ve got, make it worth it. And that was worthwhile time that he made for me.”

Ms John said that she kept a copy of The Royal Gazette that reported on Mr Carter’s speech at the House of Assembly, which has sat framed in her Pembroke house ever since.

She added that, in honour of his memory, “I’ve done exactly what he said — make time, no matter what”.