Former President Jimmy Carter’s final journey began Saturday in Americus, Georgia, the town near his birthplace, marking the start of a six-day state funeral. A solemn motorcade, carrying Carter’s flag-draped casket, departed from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Former Secret Service agents, who served as pallbearers, offered a final salute as a mournful train whistle echoed through the air. The Carter family—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—accompanied the procession.
The route wound through Plains, Carter’s hometown, where residents lined the streets to pay their respects. Many carried flowers or wore commemorative pins, showcasing the enduring affection for the 39th president, who died at age 100 on December 29th at his Plains home. Among those present was 12-year-old Will Porter Shelbrock, who traveled from Gainesville, Florida, with his grandmother. Shelbrock, born long after Carter left office in 1981, expressed admiration for Carter’s humanitarian efforts, his commitment to peace, and his forward-thinking initiatives like installing solar panels on the White House.
The procession paused at Carter’s family farm, where the National Park Service rang the old farm bell 39 times—a tribute to his presidency. From there, the motorcade proceeded to Atlanta, where a moment of silence was observed at the Georgia Capitol before a ceremony at the Carter Presidential Center. Carter will lie in repose there until Tuesday, when his remains will be transported to Washington, D.C., to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. A state funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, followed by a private burial service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, alongside his late wife, Rosalynn.
Carter’s life, largely spent in and around Plains aside from his military service and time in government, concluded near the place where it began. His legacy of peacemaking, humanitarian work, and dedication to his community continues to inspire generations.