The nation bid a solemn farewell to former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living U.S. president, in a series of dignified tributes culminating in his burial next to his beloved wife Rosalynn in their hometown of Plains, Georgia. The 39th president, who passed away at the age of 98, was honored with a state funeral in Washington D.C. before making his final journey home.
A Presidential Procession
The ceremonies began on January 4th, as a motorcade carrying the president’s casket wound through the streets of Plains, pausing at his boyhood farm home. From there, the procession traveled to Atlanta, stopping at the Georgia State Capitol for a moment of silence with state leaders. Carter’s remains then lay in repose at the Carter Presidential Center he founded, allowing the public to pay their respects.
On January 7th, the president’s casket was flown to Washington D.C., where he lay in state at the U.S. Capitol, a rare honor reserved for the nation’s most distinguished public servants. Mourners filed past to honor the humble peanut farmer from Georgia who rose to the nation’s highest office.
A Statesman Remembered
Carter’s state funeral was held on January 9th at Washington National Cathedral, with President Joe Biden delivering the eulogy. World leaders and former presidents gathered to remember Carter’s dedication to humanitarian causes, his unflagging integrity, and his tireless pursuit of peace.
“Jimmy Carter was a man of deep faith and profound integrity,” Biden told the assembled mourners. “His dedication to making the world a better place serves as an inspiration to us all.”
The national day of mourning saw flags flying at half-staff across the country, as Americans paused to reflect on Carter’s legacy of service. That legacy includes his Nobel Peace Prize for conflict mediation, his tireless work with Habitat for Humanity, and his unflinching honesty that earned him the trust of the American people.
A Final Homecoming
After the Washington ceremonies, Carter returned to Georgia for the final time. A service was held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where Carter taught Sunday school for decades. He was then laid to rest in a private burial, next to his wife of 76 years and his lifelong partner in service, Rosalynn.
As the nation mourns, it also celebrates the extraordinary life of a leader who never wavered in his commitment to his faith, his family, and making the world a more peaceful place. Jimmy Carter’s legacy serves as a beacon, reminding us of the power of humble service to others. Though he has left this world, his spirit of compassion and his dedication to lifting up those less fortunate will endure.
