ATLANTA — The nation began its official farewell to Jimmy Carter on Saturday as the casket of the former president commenced its journey through the rural roads of southern Georgia, where he lived for much of his life, heading to Atlanta. In the state capital, his body will lie in public repose before a state funeral in Washington next week.
This day marked the beginning of a multi-day tribute to Carter, who passed away last Sunday at his home in Plains, the small town that shaped his childhood and launched his remarkable political journey. After being defeated in the 1980 election, which ended his presidency, he returned to Plains with his wife, Rosalynn, and redefined his life as a global humanitarian and advocate for democracy.
Residents of Plains and admirers from near and far gathered to pay tribute on Saturday morning. Carter’s casket, which had been at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, about 10 miles from his hometown since his death on December 29 at the age of 100, was transported just after 10:20 a.m.
Beneath a clear blue sky, the casket, covered by an American flag, was escorted by current and former members of his Secret Service team to a waiting hearse—a detail that the late president initiated to honor those who safeguarded him and his family over the years, described by memorial organizers as “lifelong friends.”
Witnessing the procession were several members of the Carter family, including his children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, making their first public appearance since their father’s passing.
Many hospital employees also attended the ceremony, as the small facility had provided care for both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter over the years and had essential support in its rebuilding after a tornado destroyed it in 2007.
“If one of them had to be hospitalized, they always wanted a second bed in the room so the other could stay, too,” shared Carlyle Walton, CEO of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.
In a pecan grove across from the hospital, a crowd gathered in the chilly weather, straining for a view of the procession. Some held signs thanking Carter, while others waved small American flags, with many wiping away tears.
“This is an important, historic moment. This is one of our own, who became president of the United States. And he was a very good man,” said Emily DeVane, who brought her three children to witness the procession through Americus.
DeVane, like many others in the community, had encountered the former president, recalling a chance meeting at a restaurant in Plains about eight years ago.
“Here I was, a mom with three small kids, and they were so kind and gracious with us. They invited us to their church,” she remembered. “He was such a humble man. They were wonderful people, and did so much good. He was one of us before he became one for everyone.”
While many stood in silence as the motorcade passed, some began to express their sentiments as it left Americus.
“Goodbye, Jimmy!” someone called out.
“We love you, Jimmy!” another shouted. “Thank you, Jimmy!”
The motorcade slowly traveled along Highway 280, through Plains, passing an estimated 300 people who lined both sides of the country road.
“He was a genuine human being. It’s nice to honor him. He deserves much more than that,” said Tucker Gatier, 27, who claimed a spot early Saturday to witness the motorcade.
Gatier, from Americus, was accompanied by his wife, Megan, and their 5-year-old twin daughters, dressed in matching leopard-print coats. He shared that Carter was just another neighbor to the locals. “I saw him at the Peanut Festival once,” he noted.
While the crowd was mostly local, some had traveled from afar. Sarah Wollenweber came with her 17-year-old son, London, from Bloomington, Illinois, after he urged her to honor his favorite president by visiting his hometown.
“This was a pilgrimage for him,” Wollenweber commented.
London plans to major in political science at the University of Illinois at Springfield next year and felt he couldn’t miss this opportunity. “He was certainly our best former president,” he asserted.
At one significant moment, the procession passed Carter’s longtime home, a modest ranch house off Main Street, where he and Rosalynn settled after leaving Washington. Rosalynn, who passed away in 2023 at 96, is buried on this property, and Carter will join her in a private burial at the family cemetery on Thursday.
A few moments later, the hearse passed through Carter’s childhood home, a restored wood cabin where he lived until 1941 when he attended the Naval Academy. This site, still a working farm that produces peanuts—a crop closely associated with Carter’s identity as a farmer-turned-politician—was honored as the farm bell rang 39 times in tribute to the 39th president.
The procession took a detour off the main highway, stopping in several small towns, where retired teachers Shanon Royal and Cathy Turner reminisced about Carter as they awaited the hearse’s arrival in Ellaville, about 20 miles north of Americus.
“He was the first president we ever voted for,” Royal recalled, adding that the excitement in the community with a Georgia peanut farmer in the White House was palpable. Like many in the region, they shared personal connections and memories tied to the Carter family, such as visiting Billy Carter’s gas station to buy the infamous Billy Beer. Both believe that Carter’s humanitarian work in his post-presidential years will solidify his legacy.
“We may never have another president from Georgia,” Turner stated. “He made history, and today is historic.”
The memorial events continued with a stop in front of the Georgia Capitol, where Carter had served as senator in the mid-1960s and governor from 1971 to 1975.
Several prominent officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (D), stood for a moment of silence as the procession passed. They, along with Georgia lawmakers, joined members of the Carter family and dignitaries at the Carter Center, where the late president continued his service post-presidency.
Carter’s casket arrived at the center shortly before 4 p.m. Members of the Carter family walked behind the hearse as a military honor band played “Hail to the Chief” upon its arrival. The casket was taken inside for a private service that included remarks from Jason Carter, the late president’s grandson, who promised that the Carter Center’s mission on democracy and human rights would carry on.
“All of us have been thinking about this day and planning for it for a long time,” he reflected. “But it is obviously still hard for us.”
Later during the service, Chip Carter recounted cherished childhood memories with his father, including a moment when he struggled with Latin homework until his father took the textbook, learned the material, and returned to teach him.
Chip shared how his father’s career sometimes came at the expense of family time, stating, “We didn’t lose touch but you had to schedule an appointment in advance.” Yet, he cherished how later visits allowed him to form friendships with his busy parents.
“He was an amazing man. Together with an amazing woman, they changed the world,” Chip said, choking back tears. “It was incredible to witness and be involved in.”
Carter’s body will lie in public repose from Saturday night until early Tuesday, when the casket is to be flown to Washington. He will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda before a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.
Rosza reported from Americus, and Lynn reported from Plains.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly listed the last name of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The article has been corrected.