The week-long state funeral services honoring former President Jimmy Carter, who died at 100 last week, began Saturday morning. The ceremonies will honor Carter’s journey from his hometown of Plains, Georgia, to his esteemed role on the global humanitarian stage and as the 39th American president.
On Saturday morning, individuals gathered in downtown Plains to place flowers at the base of Carter’s monument. The tribute also featured Habitat for Humanity hardhats adorned with handwritten messages, including one that read, “God bless you, Mr. President,” USA Today first reported.
Carter was the oldest living president, and President Biden has now taken that mantle at the age of 82 years, 2 months.
Carter’s specific cause of death on Dec. 29 was unclear. Carter’s death followed the passing of his wife Rosalynn on Nov. 19, 2023. She died at the age of 96 with her family by her side at the Carter home in Plains, just days after she had been admitted to hospice care.
A military body bearer team carries the casket of former President Jimmy Carter into the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum to lie in repose in Atlanta, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool)
Carter’s motorcade arrived at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta just before 4 p.m. ET. As his casket was unloaded, a military band played “Hail to the Chief.”
During the private memorial service, Carter was eulogized and stories from his life were shared.
His son, James Earl Carter III, spoke of a kind but firm parent who spent time with his Boy Scouts of America troop and took the family on vacations.
“Chip” Carter said that once, while working on the hiking merit badge, their troop hiked six miles to the family farm.
While roasting marshmallows and hot dogs on the fire, President Carter told ghost stories. Some of the tales appeared to spook the scouts to the point that they began employing the “buddy system” when they left the relative…
