ATLANTA — Funeral observances for former President Jimmy Carter will commence Saturday in Georgia, following his passing on December 29 at the age of 100.
The initial events celebrate Carter’s extraordinary journey from the small town of Plains, Georgia, to his influential role on the global stage as a humanitarian and democracy advocate.
Key details about the upcoming ceremonies include:
The proceedings are set to begin at 10:15 a.m. EST Saturday with the Carter family arriving at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus.
Former Secret Service agents who protected Carter will act as pallbearers, accompanying the hearse as it leaves the medical center for Plains.
James Earl Carter Jr. spent over 80 of his 100 years in and around Plains, a town with a population of fewer than 700 residents, much like when he was born on October 1, 1924. Unlike other presidents who grew up in rural areas, Carter’s decision to return to his birthplace after his presidency is noteworthy.
The motorcade will navigate through downtown Plains, passing significant locations like the childhood home of First Lady Rosalynn Smith Carter and the sites of the family’s peanut warehouses. Also on the route is the old train depot, which served as Carter’s 1976 campaign headquarters, and the former gas station run by his brother Billy.
The procession will also stop at the Methodist church where the Carters exchanged vows in 1946 and the home where they lived for most of their lives. The former president will be laid to rest there next to Rosalynn.
The Carters constructed their residence before Jimmy’s first Senate campaign in 1962, living there aside from their time in the Governor’s Mansion and the White House.
The motorcade will make a 10:50 a.m. stop at Carter’s family farm and boyhood home in Archery, after passing the cemetery where his parents are interred.
The farm is now part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, where the National Park Service will ring the old farm bell 39 times in honor of the 39th president.
Carter was the first president born in a hospital, yet his home lacked electricity or running water at the time. His early life was shaped by the Great Depression, although his family experienced relative privilege. His father employed local Black tenant farming families and owned a store, while his mother served as a nurse.
Earl Carter’s passing in 1953 prompted Jimmy to take over the family business after leaving a promising naval career. This pivotal moment led to his election to the Georgia State Senate within a decade.
From Archery, the procession will head north to Atlanta, with a scheduled stop at 3 p.m. outside the Georgia Capitol, where Carter served as a state senator and governor. A moment of silence will be led by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
After that, the motorcade will proceed to the Carter Presidential Center, arriving at approximately 3:45 p.m. A private service is planned for 4 p.m. The center encompasses Carter’s presidential library and The Carter Center, established in 1982.
From 7 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday, Carter’s remains will lie in repose for public visitation.
The ceremony is expected to feature staff from The Carter Center, who have made significant contributions to international diplomacy, election monitoring, and public health initiatives globally.
Carter, who continued to deliver annual reports until 2019, received the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledging his impactful post-presidential work.
Following the services in Georgia, Carter’s remains will be transported to Washington, where he will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until his funeral at 10 a.m. Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, with all living presidents invited and a eulogy expected from President Joe Biden.
Finally, the Carter family will return to Plains for a private funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church and a graveside service next to his beloved wife, Rosalynn, ensuring his final resting place is visible from the family home.
