Atlanta honors former President Jimmy Carter as city hosts ceremony, moment of silence

Former president Jimmy Carter completed his final journey to Atlanta Saturday afternoon as the hearse carrying his remains arrived downtown for services and ceremonies honoring his life.

The arrival in Atlanta capped a more than five-hour trip from Carter’s hometown of Plains, where he died in his home Dec. 29 at age 100, according to his family. He had been in hospice for nearly two years.

Much of Carter’s humanitarian efforts were done through the Carter Center, a nonprofit he founded with his wife Rosalynn Carter in 1982. It’s also where Carter’s memorial service took place.

Carter’s impact was tangible as the motorcade traveled through rural south Georgia and up Interstate 75. Thousands of Georgians lined the streets to see the motorcade pass, falling into a reverent silence as the hearse came into view.

Carter’s remains arrived at the state Capitol around 3 p.m., and were met by dignitaries including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

State and local leaders reflected on his impact on Georgia and the U.S., with a focus on his faith and dedication to others.

“He cared for people who were the least fortunate,” Perdue said. “I think he was a great example for any public servant.”

After stopping at the state Capitol, the motorcade proceeded to the Carter Presidential Center just a few miles away.

All was quiet as the hearse rolled into the circle of flags outside the center’s front entrance. Carter’s family, moving behind the casket as a sea of black, entered through the front doors as the U.S. Army Band played a solemn rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

The service reflected the inclusivity Carter was known for, with all Carter Center employees invited to the service. Carter’s son, Chip Carter, said the employees played a major role in his parents’ work.

“Dad’s aspirations and mom’s dreams have been fulfilled in large part by the people here,” Chip Carter said.

The Carter family’s pastor, Rev. Tony Lowden, also spoke, recalling Carter’s strong Christian faith. He said when he would come every Saturday to see Carter, he would be wrapped in a blanket embroidered with his favorite Bible verse, Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack,” Lowden read from the verse during the service. “He lets me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He renews my life.”

Once the service concluded, family and officials filed out of the building. But as they made their way back to their cars, the doors to the Carter Center opened once more, this time to let thousands more people from Georgia and beyond to say goodbye to the former president.

Carter’s remains will lay in repose at the Carter Center until Tuesday, when they will be flown to Washington, D.C., and lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. On Thursday, Carter’s remains will be taken to the National Cathedral for a national funeral service before being returned to Plains.

There, a third and final private funeral service will take place at Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school for many years. A Navy flyover and a private internment at Carter’s home will conclude the ceremonies.