Jimmy Carter's State Funeral Begins In Georgia

The state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter began on Saturday (January 4) in Georgia, marking the start of a six-day tribute to the 39th U.S. president. The ceremony commenced at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, where Carter's flag-draped casket was loaded into a hearse by former Secret Service agents. The motorcade then traveled through Carter's hometown of Plains, Georgia, passing significant landmarks from his life, including his boyhood home and the family peanut warehouse.

Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, was born in Plains on October 1, 1924. His funeral procession through the town reflected his deep roots and his rise to prominence as a global humanitarian and advocate for democracy. Mourners lined the streets, paying their respects with flowers and tributes. A bell rang 39 times at Carter's family farm, now part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, to honor his presidency.

The motorcade continued to Atlanta, where a moment of silence was observed at the Georgia Capitol. Carter's remains will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center until Tuesday morning before being transported to Washington, D.C., to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. A state funeral is scheduled for Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral, with President Joe Biden delivering a eulogy. Carter will be buried in Plains next to his wife, Rosalynn, following a private service at Maranatha Baptist Church.