Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States (1977–1981), passed away on 29 December at 100 years old. A six-day funeral ceremony has begun in Georgia, the state where he spent much of his life.
The events trace Carter’s journey from Plains, a small Georgia town, to his significant contributions on the world stage as a humanitarian and advocate for democracy.
A procession through plains
The ceremonies started on Saturday morning. The Carter family arrived at Phoebe Sumter Medical Centre in Americus, and former Secret Service agents who served Carter carried his coffin to the hearse.
The procession moved through Plains, Carter’s hometown for over 80 years. Plains remains a small town with fewer than 700 residents, much as it was when Carter was born on 1 October 1924.
The motorcade passed several key locations in the town. These included the train depot used as Carter’s 1976 campaign headquarters and the Plains Methodist Church, where he married Rosalynn in 1946. The route also went by their family home and peanut warehouses, reflecting their ties to the community. Both Jimmy and Rosalynn will be laid to rest on the property.
Paying tribute in archery and atlanta
The motorcade stopped at Carter’s boyhood home and family farm in Archery, just outside Plains. Park officials rang the farm bell 39 times to honour his presidency. The farm is now part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park.
The motorcade then continued to Atlanta, stopping at the Georgia Capitol. Carter had served as a state senator from 1963 to 1967 and governor from 1971 to 1975. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens led a moment of silence.
Honouring carter at the Presidential Centre
The procession concluded at the Carter Presidential Centre in Atlanta. The centre includes Carter’s presidential library and The Carter Center, which he and Rosalynn founded in 1982.
Carter’s son James Earl “Chip” Carter III and his grandson Jason Carter spoke to attendees. Many employees of the Carter Centre attended. The centre continues to focus on diplomacy, election monitoring, and health initiatives, reflecting Carter’s values. In 2002, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work after leaving office.
National and local farewells
Carter’s body lay in repose at the Carter Presidential Library, giving the public a chance to pay respects. His remains were then transported to Washington, D.C., for a state funeral at the Capitol Rotunda.
President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy during Carter’s state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday. Biden recently signed a bill renaming a US Postal Service facility in Plains to honour Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.
After the Washington ceremonies, Carter’s family will return him to Plains. He will have a private funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School for years. Carter will then be buried alongside Rosalynn in a plot near their family home.
