Jimmy Carter’s Farewell: A Six-Day Tribute to a Life of Service
The public farewell for former President Jimmy Carter began in Georgia on Saturday, a six-day state funeral celebrating the life of the 39th U.S. president. His flag-draped casket embarked on a journey tracing his remarkable path, from humble beginnings in the Depression-era South to the pinnacle of American political power and a decades-long career as a global humanitarian. The meticulously planned event blended intimate personal remembrances with the ceremonial grandeur befitting a former president. Carter, the longest-lived U.S. executive, passed away on December 29th at the age of 100.
The procession commenced in Carter’s hometown of Plains, a small town whose population hasn’t significantly changed since his birth on October 1, 1924. The route included a stop at the family farm, where the future president worked alongside Black sharecroppers, a poignant reminder of his formative years amidst the complexities of the Jim Crow South. The motorcade then proceeded to Atlanta, pausing before the Georgia Capitol, a location significant to Carter’s career as a state senator and reformist governor. The final stop was the Carter Presidential Center, the location of his presidential library and the base of his post-presidency work advocating for public health, democracy, and human rights. This center stands as a testament to his legacy of impactful service beyond the White House.
Family members, including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, accompanied the hearse throughout the journey. Jason Carter, now chairman of the Carter Center’s governing board, aptly noted, “It’s amazing what you can cram into a hundred years,” encapsulating the fullness of his grandfather’s life. His son, James Earl “Chip” Carter III, spoke movingly of his parents’ profound impact on the world, emphasizing the supportive role of his mother, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023.
The pallbearers included members of the Secret Service, who protected the Carters for nearly half a century, and a military honor guard, recognizing Carter’s service as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate—the only Naval Academy graduate to reach the Oval Office. A military band played “Hail to the Chief” and the hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” reflecting both his presidential tenure and his deep Baptist faith. Rev. Tony Lowden, Carter’s long-time pastor, offered a personal reflection, remembering not the president, but the man, frail in his final 22 months of hospice care, comforted by the words of Psalm 23.
Chip Carter shared contrasting anecdotes, recalling both the formal “boss” requiring appointments in the Oval Office and the devoted father who spent an entire Christmas break tutoring his son in Latin after he failed a test—a testament to Carter’s personal dedication and commitment.
The public had the opportunity to pay their respects at the Carter Presidential Center from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning. Among the early mourners was Scott Lyle, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer who had worked alongside Carter, highlighting the profound personal impact the former president had on many lives.
National funeral rites continued in Washington, culminating in a service at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, followed by a return to Plains for a final burial alongside his wife of 77 years. The choice of Plains underscored Carter’s deliberate emphasis on his rural roots as the foundation of his remarkable journey.
The procession through Plains passed significant locations: the family peanut warehouse, the small home where Rosalynn Carter was born, and the old train depot that served as his 1976 campaign headquarters—a stark contrast to the billion-dollar campaigns of today. At the Carter farm, the old farm bell tolled 39 times, honoring his place as the 39th president. The presence of the tennis court built by his father further illustrated the blend of privilege and hard rural life that shaped his upbringing.
Calvin Smyre, a Black former Georgia legislator, powerfully articulated Carter’s legacy, emphasizing his repudiation of racial segregation and its lasting impact on the empowerment of Black people in Georgia. Carter’s commitment to addressing poverty and institutional racism profoundly informed his policies and humanitarian work, a theme he frequently addressed in his writings and speeches. The narratives shared throughout this extended farewell highlight a life lived in service, profoundly impacting both the nation and the world.