Weekly state funeral service in honor of the former President Jimmy Carter, who died last week at the age of 100, began on Saturday morning. The ceremonies will honor Carter’s journey from his hometown of Plains, Georgia to his respected role on the global humanitarian stage and as the 39th President of the United States.
On Saturday morning, individuals gathered in downtown Plains to lay flowers at the base of Carter’s memorial. The dedication also featured Habitat for Humanity helmets emblazoned with handwritten messages, including one that read, “God bless you, Mr. President,” USA Today first reported.
His specific cause of death on December 29 was not clear. Carter’s death followed the death his wife Rosalynn On November 19, 2023, she died at the age of 96 with her family by her side at the Carter home in Plains, just days after being admitted to hospice care.
JIMMY CARTER, 39TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DEAD AT 100.
Former and current U.S. Secret Service agents assigned to Carter move former President Jimmy Carter’s flag-draped casket into Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Ga., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Carter died Dec. 29 at 100. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carter was the oldest living president.
US President Jimmy Carter announces new sanctions against Iran in retaliation for taking American hostages, Washington, DC, USA, photo by Marion S. Trikosko, April 7, 1980. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Here is the order of funeral events:
Saturday, January 4:
•10:15 a.m.: The Carter family will arrive at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia. Nine current and former Secret Service agents from the Carter administration will serve as pallbearers, escorting his remains to the hearse.
•10:50 a.m.: The motorcade will travel through the Plains, making a brief stop at Carter’s childhood home of Archery. During this break, the National Park will ring the historic farm bell 39 times, symbolizing Carter’s tenure as the 39th president.
•10:55: The journey to Atlanta begins.
FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER TO SPEND ‘REMAINING TIME’ AT HOME RECEIVING HOSPICE CARE
Carter exits a plane upon landing at Havana International Airport on March 28, 2011. (ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)
• 3:00 p.m.: Upon arrival in Atlanta, the procession will stop at the Georgia State Capitol for a moment of silence led by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, The mayor of Atlanta Andre Dickens and members of the Georgia General Assembly.
Georgia State Patrol troopers, current and retired, will gather on the steps of the Capitol, and those who served in Carter’s security during his governorship will take a seat of distinction.
Tom Chaffin, of Atlanta, leaves flowers at the entrance to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Atlanta. Carter died on Sunday at the age of 100. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
• 3:45 p.m.: Arrival ceremony will be held at the Carter Presidential Center.
• 4:00 p.m.: A private service will be held in the lobby of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.
•7:00 p.m.: President Carter will lie in state at the Carter Presidential Center, allowing the public to pay their respects until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7.
A jar of peanuts is among the items left in tribute to former President Jimmy Carter at the entrance to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Atlanta. Carter died on Sunday at the age of 100. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Follow-up services:
•January 7: President Carter’s remains will be flown to Washington, DC, where they will lie in state in the US capital for national honors.
•January 9: A national funeral service will be held at the Washington National Cathedral, with President Joe Biden he is expected to give a eulogy. Biden declared Thursday a national day of mourning.
JIMMY CARTER EXPECTED TO LY IN ROTUNDA AHEAD OF BIDEN’S STATE FUNERAL
Carter appears on the ABC News TV series ‘This Week With George Stephanopoulos’ for his new book ‘A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety’. (Ida Mae Astute/American Broadcasting Corporation via Getty Images)
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• Next service Washington, Carter’s remains will return to Georgia for a private funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. Carter will then be laid to rest next to his late wife Rosalynn Carter at their residence.
Fox News Digital’s Andrea Magolis contributed to this report.
