The memorial events for former President Jimmy Carter began this Saturday, kicking off a week-long series of tributes across the country. Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100 on December 29.
The state funeral services celebrate Carter’s life, highlighting his roots in Plains, Georgia, and his influential roles as a global humanitarian and president, Fox News reported.
Jimmy Carter’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes and remembrances. In Plains, his hometown, residents and visitors placed flowers and Habitat for Humanity hardhats with messages like "God bless you, Mr. President" at his monument, reflecting his long-term commitment to the organization.
Carter's journey symbolically retraced key locations from his life as his motorcade passed through them. It stopped at his brother’s former gas station and the farm where he grew up, signifying his humble beginnings.
On January 4, 2025, a dignified ceremony at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta featured a military body bearer team carrying Carter’s casket. This significant gesture highlighted the national respect and mourning for the former President.
People gathered at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta and observed a moment of silence, reflecting on the impact Carter had on the nation and the global community during and after his presidency.
Following the ceremony, Carter's casket will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, providing the public a chance to pay their respects to the former leader. The Presidential Center, closely associated with Carter's post-presidential humanitarian work, serves as a poignant backdrop for this event.
The Morehouse College Glee Club performed during one of these memorial services, adding a layer of solemnity and cultural tribute appropriate to the dignity of the occasion.
These ceremonies in Georgia mark the beginning of a series of national tributes. Jimmy Carter's funeral will extend to Washington D.C., where he will receive state funeral honors typically reserved for Presidents.
President Joe Biden, along with all living former U.S. Presidents, has been invited to participate in the state funeral in Washington D.C. This event, moreover, is set to include Carter's body lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, allowing people from across the nation to participate in honoring his legacy.
A national funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral is scheduled, where leaders and citizens alike will gather to farewell this esteemed figure. In addition, President Biden has declared a National Day of Mourning, underscoring the significance of Carter's contributions to the country.
The culmination of this week-long homage, finally, will see Jimmy Carter laid to rest next to his wife, Rosalynn Carter, at their residence in Plains, Georgia. Rosalynn Carter, who died slightly over a month before her husband at age 96 on November 19, 2023, shared many of Jimmy’s humanitarian values and endeavors.
Jimmy Carter's son, James Earl Carter III, shared personal reflections during the events, conveying anecdotes that highlighted his father's nature and values. For instance, he recalled light-hearted family exchanges, including one where he cheekily remarked about not needing to learn Latin as “no one spoke it very much,” much to his father's displeasure.
These personal stories from his family, therefore, provide an intimate glimpse into the home life of a man admired globally for his service and dedication to issues of equity and peace.
As the ceremonies continue, each step of Jimmy Carter’s final journey further underscores the deep admiration and respect held for him, not just as a political figure, but as a committed advocate for peace and human rights around the world.
