A Final Journey: Jimmy Carter’s Legacy Remembered \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Jimmy Carter’s public farewell began Saturday in Georgia, blending personal tributes with the ceremonial honors of a state funeral. The 39th U.S. president’s flag-draped casket journeyed from his rural roots in Plains to the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, reflecting his ascent from a humble background to a life of global impact. His six-day memorial will culminate Thursday with a funeral at Washington National Cathedral and his burial in Plains beside Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 77 years.
Jimmy Carter’s Farewell: Quick Looks
- A Life Honored: Jimmy Carter’s six-day state funeral began in Georgia, blending personal tributes and presidential honors.
- Procession Through Plains: His casket journeyed through Plains, Georgia, visiting sites from his childhood and early career.
- Family Tributes: Son Chip Carter and grandson Jason Carter shared touching stories of Carter’s legacy and humility.
- Legacy of Service: Carter’s post-presidency set a standard for humanitarian work through The Carter Center.
- Military Honors: Secret Service members and a Navy honor guard paid tribute to the only Naval Academy graduate to serve as president.
- Public Farewell: Carter’s casket lies in repose at the Carter Presidential Center until Tuesday for public viewing.
- National Rites: A funeral at Washington National Cathedral will follow Thursday, before his burial in Plains beside Rosalynn Carter.
Deep Look
Jimmy Carter: A Final Farewell Honoring an Extraordinary Life
The life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, were commemorated Saturday in Georgia, marking the beginning of a six-day state funeral. Carter’s journey from a small-town farmer in Plains, Georgia, to a global humanitarian was on full display as his flag-draped casket traveled through locations that defined his life and career.
The ceremonies honor the longest-living U.S. president, who passed away on December 29, 2023, at the age of 100. Blending personalized tributes with the ceremonial grandeur afforded to former presidents, the farewell serves as a testament to Carter’s extraordinary contributions as a leader and human rights advocate.
The Procession Begins in Plains, Georgia
The farewell commenced in Carter’s hometown of Plains, a rural community of about 700 residents. Carter’s hearse retraced the humble roots that shaped his life, passing the family farm where he worked alongside Black tenant farmers during the Great Depression. The old train depot, which served as Carter’s campaign headquarters during his 1976 presidential run, was another poignant stop, representing the grassroots effort that propelled him to the presidency.
As the motorcade moved through the town, mourners lined the streets, holding flowers and wearing pins with Carter’s signature smile. Among them was 75-year-old Willie Browner, a nearby resident, who reflected on Carter’s humility: “He thought of more than just himself. It meant a great deal to have a president come from a small Southern town like mine.”
The National Park Service, which preserves Carter’s childhood home, rang the old farm bell 39 times to honor his place as the 39th president. Carter’s upbringing in a home without electricity or running water left an indelible mark on him, shaping his lifelong commitment to equality and social justice.
From Georgia Governor to Global Statesman
The procession continued to Atlanta, stopping at the Georgia State Capitol. It was here that Carter served as a reformist governor before his rise to national prominence. Calvin Smyre, a former Black legislator, spoke about Carter’s transformative impact: “What he did shocked and shook the political ground here in Georgia. We live better because of that.”
The motorcade concluded its journey at the Carter Presidential Center, which houses his presidential library and serves as the hub of his post-White House humanitarian work. Jason Carter, Carter’s grandson and chair of the center’s governing board, praised his grandfather’s enduring legacy, saying, “His spirit fills this place. You continue the vibrant living legacy of what is my grandfather’s life work.”
Personal Tributes and Shared Memories
Carter’s family played a central role in Saturday’s ceremonies, sharing deeply personal memories of the man behind the public persona.
Chip Carter, Carter’s son, described him as both a devoted father and a focused leader. He recounted a Christmas break when his father spent weeks teaching him Latin after he had failed a test in school. “When I retook that test, I aced it,” Chip said. “I owed it to my father, who spent that kind of time with me.”
Chip also spoke of the bond between his parents, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who passed away just weeks before him in 2023. “The two of them together changed the world,” he said.
Scott Lyle, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer who first worked alongside Carter in 2003, was one of the first mourners to pay his respects at the Carter Presidential Center. “He was an amazing man, and he cared about others,” Lyle said, wearing Habitat-themed gear to honor the former president’s tireless work building homes.
A Life of Service and Impact
Carter’s accomplishments were not confined to his time in office. As a former president, he redefined the role, dedicating decades to public service through The Carter Center. His work in global health, democracy, and human rights set a new standard for post-presidential advocacy.
Carter’s pastor, Rev. Tony Lowden, shared a touching reflection on Carter’s final months in hospice care. Describing him as a frail man wrapped in a blanket adorned with Psalm 23, Lowden emphasized Carter’s steadfast faith and devotion to others.
The military and Secret Service played key roles in Saturday’s ceremony, highlighting Carter’s service to his country. Pallbearers included Secret Service members who protected the Carters for nearly 50 years and a military honor guard featuring Navy servicemembers, paying tribute to Carter as the only Naval Academy graduate to serve as president.
The Legacy of Rural Roots and Racial Progress
Carter’s upbringing in Plains, Georgia, during the Jim Crow era deeply influenced his political and humanitarian efforts. He often spoke of how witnessing institutional racism and extreme poverty shaped his worldview and policy priorities.
At the state Capitol, Smyre acknowledged Carter’s pivotal role in dismantling segregationist policies in Georgia. “We stand on the shoulders of courageous people like Jimmy Carter,” Smyre said.
The town of Plains continues to embody Carter’s legacy. The motorcade passed locations like the family peanut warehouse and the small home where his wife Rosalynn was born in 1927. Carter ensured his funeral plans highlighted these rural roots, underscoring that his rise to the world stage was because of—not despite—his humble beginnings.
Public Farewell and Final Journey
Carter’s casket will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center until Tuesday morning, allowing the public to pay their respects around the clock. National rites will then move to Washington, D.C., with a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.
After the service, Carter’s body will return to Plains, where he will be buried beside Rosalynn at the home they built before his first state Senate campaign in 1962.
A Symbol of Integrity and Service
Jimmy Carter’s six-day farewell highlights not only his achievements but also his profound humility and dedication to serving others. His story—rooted in rural Georgia and extending to the global stage—remains a powerful example of what leadership can achieve when guided by compassion and principle.
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