ATLANTA – Nearly a week of funeral services honoring former President Jimmy Carter began on Saturday morning in Georgia.
The Carter family has invited the public to participate in several public viewings and funeral processions planned in both Georgia and Washington, D.C. over the next six days.
On Saturday, the body of the former president will travel by motorcade through his hometown of Plains, Georgia, to Atlanta to lie in repose at The Carter Center, the organization that he and his wife, Rosalynn, founded in 1982.
Here’s what you need to know about everything going on to celebrate Mr. Carter’s life over the weekend.
Live updates of the Jimmy Carter funeral motorcade and service
The private service for former President Jimmy Carter begins at the Carter Presidential Center on Jan. 4, 2025.
4:09 p.m.: The private funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter begins with emotional remarks from Jason Carter.
Music picked by Rosalynn Carter to be played at the former president’s service includes “Eternal Father, Strong to Save (The Navy Hymn),” “The Lord’s Prayer.” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” These songs will be performed by the Morehouse College Glee Club.
The service includes a prayer from Bernstine Hollis, a longtime friend of Carter and retired The Carter Center employee, and a scripture reading from Tony Lowden, the Carters’ pastor.
The Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Meredith Evans, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens will lay wreaths for Carter.
4:06 p.m.: Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has been put into place inside the Carter Presidential Center for the arrival service.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s pallbearers carry his casket from the motorcade hearse into the Carter Center in Atlanta on Jan. 4, 2024.
3:58 p.m.: Pallbearers help carry former President Jimmy Carter’s casket into the Carter Center as members of the military and public look on.
Carter’s motorcade reached The Carter Presidential Center just before 4 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2024.
3:53 p.m.: The motorcade has reached its final destination for Saturday’s events – the Carter Presidential Center. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded the center in 1982. Since its creation, the organization has led efforts to protect democracy and tackle global health issues.
Jimmy Carter arrives at Carter Center; honored by Morehouse
The Morehouse College Glee Club honors former President Jimmy Carter by singing the Navy Hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”
One of those issues Carter was extremely passionate about was the eradication of Guinea worm disease, a parasitic infection that afflicted more than 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia when the center launched its public health campaign in 1986. The hard work paid off. In 2023, only 14 human cases were reported across the world.
There will be a short arrival service where Carter’s remains are carried into the center. Once inside, there will be a private service.
The family says that one of Carter’s long-standing requests was that the first state funeral included employees who work at The Carter Center and Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. These employees were also invited to pay their respects at the end of the service.
Jimmy Carter stops at Georgia Capitol for last time
The motorcade procession carrying the body of former President Jimmy Carter pauses at the Georgia Capitol. Dignitaries lined the steps to the Gold Dome to pay their respects for the 76th governor of Georgia and Georgia state senator.
3:20 p.m.: Carter has arrived at the Georgia Capitol, where he served as a state senator from 1963 to 1967 and governor from 1971 to 1975. Among those gathered to pay their respects during a moment of silence are Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Georgia Speaker of the House John Burns, members of the Georgia Legislature and Georgia State Capitol staff.
Current and past members of the Georgia State Patrol are also at the Capitol. Troopers who were assigned to Carter’s detail during his time as governor have been given a position of honor.
Jack Carter shakes hands with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp as grandson Jason Cater watches, as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter pauses outside the State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 4, 2025. Carter, th
While most of the Carter family will remain in their cars during this quick visit, Jack Carter, the eldest son of Jimmy and Rosalynn, and Jason Carter, their grandson, will meet with the political leaders as part of the ceremony.
Inside the Capitol, a wreath with the seal of Georgia was placed in front of Carter’s official state portrait, which had been draped in black.
3:11 p.m.: Carter’s motorcade exits the highway and begins approaching the Georgia Capitol.
Jimmy Carter funeral: George Washington “Buddy” Darden
Former Rep. George Washington “Buddy” Darden, a five-time congressman of Georgia, gives his remembrance during FOX 5’s live coverage of President Jimmy Carter’s motorcade.
1:54 p.m.: Carter’s motorcade has reached Interstate 75 and is continuing its journey to the Georgia Capitol.
The Carter Center says it expects about 2,000 people to visit each hour while the former president lies in repose after today’s private service.
Jimmy Carter’s motorcade winds its way to Atlanta
Georgians have lined the roadways between Americus and Atlanta as the body of former President Jimmy Carter makes its final trip to the Carter Center.
1:06 p.m.: Renee Burke and Paul Wyness stopped in Plains on their way home to Florida to pay their respects.
“I’m from north of Memphis, Tennessee – a small area – and we felt like he was one of us,” Burke said. “A kind of decent person. He meant decency and just kindness. He cared about everybody. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, he made such a difference.”
Renee Burke and Paul Wyness stopped by Plains with a sign to honor former President Jimmy Carter.
Wyness said that they felt like they had to show up to honor Carter’s life.
Jonny Little grew up in the area. As a child, he traveled with his father and grandfather to Plains to trade supplies with Carter.
“I was able to follow him during his political career and I think he did a lot of great things for the state and the United States,” Little said.
He said Carter “put Plains on the map.”
“A lot of people have never heard or given a second thought to Plains, Georgia. Where’s that? It’s deep in the South. He made Plains known to the world,” Little said.
A small memorial to Jimmy Carter in Plains.
11:50 a.m.: While former President Jimmy Carter’s body lies in repose in Atlanta following Saturday’s events, one building on the Downtown skyline is honoring his legacy.
Georgia’s Own Credit Union has placed a memorial mural to Carter on its digital mural, which can be seen from the Downtown Connector. The sign will stay lit through the declared National Day of Mourning on Jan. 9.
(Brilliant Photography/Georgia’s Own Credit Union)
11:02 a.m.: After the ceremony in Archery, the motorcade will now take the over-150-mile trip to the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. On the way, the motorcade will pass through Preston (Webster County), Ellaville (Schley County), Butler (Taylor County), Reynolds (Taylor County), and Fort Valley (Peach County), where it will slow down to allow mourners to pay their respects as the late president makes his final trip to the Carter Center.
10:55 a.m.: At the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm in Archery, Georgia, National Parks Service rangers, groundskeepers, and historical interpreters stand in formation to welcome the former president’s remains.
Karen Barry and Randy Dillard will ring the old farm bell 39 times to honor the 39th president. Barry and Dillard are the longest-serving staffers at the park.
President Jimmy Carter: Ringing of bell at boyhood farm
Former President Jimmy Carter’s motorcade stops at his boyhood farm in Plains. The National Park Service salutes Carter by ringing the historic farm bell 39 times. The honor of ringing the bell was given to Randy Dillard and Karen Barry, who are the longest-serving members of the NPS in Plains.
Carter was the first president born in a hospital. But the home had no electricity or running water when he was born, and he worked on his father’s land during the Great Depression. Still, the Carters had relative privilege and status. Earl employed Black tenant farming families. The elder Carter also owned a store in Plains and was a local civic and political leader. Lillian was a nurse, and she delivered Rosalynn. The property still includes a tennis court Earl had built for the family.
10:50 a.m.: The motorcade has entered Plains, where it is passing near the girlhood home of former first lady Rosalynn Smith Carter, who died in November 2023 at 96. The planned route includes the old train depot that served as Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign headquarters and the gas station once run by Carter’s younger brother, Billy.
The motorcade’s destination is the family farm where Carter grew up, now part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park. The park and preservation district also includes the church where Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married, the site of the Carter family farm supply business, and Lebanon Cemetary, where Jimmy Carter’s mother, father, sister, and brother are buried.
Some Georgians have waited for hours to say their goodbyes to the former president – the only Georgian to hold America’s highest political position. Groups braved the morning cold to line the main street of Plains to see the motorcade pass by.
10:32 a.m.: A large crowd of spectators had gathered at the hospital, waving American flags silently in respect as the motorcade departed.
10:31 a.m.: After a silent procession, the two current and seven retired Secret Service agents accompanied former President Jimmy Carter’s remains on the first step of his six-day funeral ceremony.
The group carried the flag-draped coffin to the hearse, pausing for a moment before slowly walking with the vehicle as it pulled away from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Each man had one of their hands placed on the hearse.
President Jimmy Carter: Departure from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center
Current and former U.S. Secret Service agents carry former President Jimmy Carter’s remains to a hearse at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. Carter’s family gathered at the medical center to see his departure.
As they travel on Saturday, the family will be escorted by U.S. Army Major General Trevor Bredenkamp, the commanding general of the National Capitol Region of the Joint Task Force. Pastor Tony Lowden, the Carters’ personal pastor, will also be with the family.
10:15 a.m.: The family of former President Jimmy Carter have gathered at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, for the start of the ceremonies that will stretch from Georgia to Washington, D.C.
Former Secret Service agents who protected Carter during his life have been chosen to serve as pallbearers at the hospital. They will walk alongside the hearse as it leaves the medical campus onto U.S. Highway 280 to Carter’s hometown in Plains, Georgia.
Carter lived more than 80 of his 100 years in and around the town, which still has fewer than 700 people, not much more than when he was born on Oct. 1, 1924.
Jimmy Carter to lie in repose at Carter Center
Final preparations are underway to say goodbye to the 39th President of the United States. Former President Jimmy Carter’s body will lie in repose at the carter center starting Saturday.
How to watch the Carter funeral events
FOX 5 will begin its coverage of the Carter funeral during Good Day Atlanta on Saturday morning. Coverage will continue beginning at 9 a.m. on FOX LOCAL until after the former president lies in repose.
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FOX LOCAL is available to download for free on Roku, Amazon FireTV, Apple TV, Google Android TV and Vizio. For more information on how to connect your specific smart TV, visit www.FOXlocal.com.
You can also watch live coverage streaming on FOX5Atlanta.com and FOX 5’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Carter funeral Saturday schedule of events
Hundreds come to pay their respects to President Carter
Hundreds of people have paid their respects to former President Jimmy Carter by dropping notes or flowers off at the Carter Center. The center became ground zero for all the humanitarian, medical and political work the former president would do around the world after he left office.
10:15 a.m.
- The Carter family arrives at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia.
- Current and former U.S. Secret Service agents will carry Carter’s remains to the hearse.
- Current and former Secret Service agents will service as pallbearers. That delegation will include Steve Miller, William Bush, Richard Kerr, Alex Parker, Jack “Chip” Coffey, Nick Steen, Don Witham, Alejandro Mantica, and Daniel Reich.
- The motorcade departs.
10:50 a.m.
- The motorcade travels through Plains, Georgia.
- The motorcade makes a stop at the Carter family farm.
- The National Park Service salutes Carter, rings the historic farm bell 39 times.
- The honor of ringing that bell will be given to Randy Dillard and Karen Barry, who are the longest-serving members of the NPS in Plains.
10:55 a.m.
- The motorcade travels to Atlanta, winding through the towns of Preston (Webster County), Ellaville (Schley County), Butler (Taylor County), Reynolds (Taylor County), and Fort Valley (Peach County).
3 p.m.
- Motorcade arrives at Georgia’s State Capitol with Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Georgia legislators, Georgia State Patrol Troopers for a moment of silence.
- President Carter’s gubernatorial Georgia State Patrol detail will also be present.
3:45 p.m.
- Carter’s remains transported to Carter Presidential Center
4 p.m.
- Service held at Carter Center
7 p.m.
- Carter lies in repose at the Carter Center
Jimmy Carter’s service at the Carter Center
Carter’s remains will then be transported to the Carter Presidential Center for an arrival ceremony at 3:45 p.m. and service at 4 p.m. The service will feature remarks from Carter’s son Chip Carter, grandson Jason Carter, and others. Musical selections include “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” performed by the Morehouse College Glee Club.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Director Meredith Evans, Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander, and Carter Center staff member and lifelong friend of the Carters, Bernstine Hollis, will join other dignitaries for the service.
Carter will be received with full military honor guard and pallbearers representing all six military branches, with “America the Beautiful” and “Be Thou My Vision” being performed by the 282nd Army Band out of Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Jimmy Carter to lie in repose
Following the service, Carter will lie in repose for mourners to pay their respects beginning at 7 p.m.
He will continue to lie in repose at the center until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, when the late president and his family will travel to Dobbins Air Reserve base to be taken to Washington, D.C.
The Carter family invites the public to honor the former president along the motorcade route and during the public repose. Those attending the repose are advised to allow extra time for security procedures. Photography and recording are prohibited.
The public can also share condolences and view a tribute to Carter’s legacy at jimmycartertribute.org.
Road closures and public transportation around Carter viewing
While the events are taking place, East John Lewis Freedom Parkway and North Highland Avenue will be closed around the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Those closures should end on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at noon.
To help visitors pay their respects, MARTA is offering free, direct bus shuttles from the King Memorial rail station to The Carter Center. These shuttles will operate continuously, departing every three to five minutes around the clock during the designated period.
Visitors can also walk or bike to the center from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Jimmy Carter Day of Mourning
The late former president’s state funeral will take place on Thursday, Jan. 9 in Washington, D.C. Prior to the ceremony, President Carter will lie in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. President Joe Biden signed an executive order closing all federal government agencies as a day of mourning for Mr. Carter.
Former U.S. presidents are expected to be present for the service, including President-elect Donald Trump, who stated earlier this week he would be attending the funeral.
When will Jimmy Carter be buried?
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s love story
One thing that was clear about former President Jimmy Carter was the love for his wife Rosalynn. Their marriage was the longest in presidential history.
Following the state funeral in Washington, President Carter’s remains will then be transported from the nation’s capitol, back to Georgia, where a private ceremony will take place at Maranatha Baptist Church, the church in Plains where Carter taught Sunday school for years.
After the private service, the former president will be taken via a short motorcade to the Carter Home and Garden, part of Jimmy Carter National Historic Park. The public is invited to line the motorcade route.
Carter will be buried near a willow tree on the property, the same location where Rosalynn was buried after she died in 2023.
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The life and legacy of Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter, addressing a town meeting in 1979. (Getty Images)
Born in Plains, Georgia, in 1924, Carter became involved in community affairs in 1953 after his father died, and he took over the family farming supply business. That knack for politics won him a seat in the Georgia Senate in 1962. After losing his campaign to be governor in 1966, Carter won the position in 1970 and then announced his decision to run for president four years later.
The “man from Georgia” served one term in the White House, but left with some monumental achievements, including brokering the Camp David accord between Egypt and Israel.
After his loss to Ronald Reagan, Carter continued to champion human rights throughout the world, founding The Carter Center with his wife, Rosalynn, to promote global health and democracy.
Carter dead at 100 after hospice stay
Everyone in Plains has a story about The Carters
Former President Jimmy Carter made it from the peanut fields of Plains to the presidency. Nearly everyone from his hometown has an endearing story about him and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
In February 2023, The Carter Center announced that the former president had entered hospice care in the one-story home he and Rosalynn built in the 1960s – before his first election to the Georgia Senate.
The president spent roughly 22 months in hospice care, living to reach his 100th birthday. He was the oldest living president in history.
On Dec. 29, 2024, The Carter Center said that Carter died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.
What people are saying
Jimmy Carter’s Peanut Brigade remembered
We continue to hear stories about the impact President Jimmy Carter had on our nation and state. Some of the people who believe once he entered their lives, nothing was the same again.
“He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.” – President Joe Biden
“I had the privilege of knowing President Carter for years. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom, and profound grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come. Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” – Vice President Kamala Harris
“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” – President-elect Donald Trump
“As the only American president thus far to come from Georgia, he showed the world the impact our state and its people have on the country. And as a son of Plains, he always valued Georgians and the virtues of our state.” – Gov. Brian Kemp
“From building affordable homes through Habitat for Humanity to protecting democracy across the globe by ensuring fair and free elections, President Carter has changed the world forever.” – Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
President Carter, who passed away at the age of 96, was known for his dedication to public service and his commitment to promoting peace and human rights around the world. His legacy continues to inspire us all.
During the service, speakers will share memories and reflections on President Carter’s life and accomplishments. The event will be a solemn and respectful tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Carter family during this difficult time. May President Carter rest in peace, knowing that his legacy will live on for generations to come.
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