Former President Jimmy Carter's six-day state funeral began in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his life began over 100 years ago. A motorcade carrying Carter's flag-draped casket made its way from Americus to Plains, passing by his boyhood home and the historic train depot where he headquartered his presidential campaign. Former Secret Service agents who protected Carter served as pallbearers, paying their respects with a mournful train whistle in the air.
The Carter family, including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, accompanied him on this final journey. Carter, the longest-lived U.S. president, passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Plains on December 29.
Families lined the procession route in downtown Plains, some carrying flowers and wearing commemorative pins bearing Carter's photo. People of all ages came to pay their respects, like 12-year-old Will Porter Shelbrock, who admires Carter for his humanitarian work and progressive initiatives.
The procession stopped at Carter's family farm outside Plains, where the National Park Service rang the old farm bell 39 times to honor his legacy as the 39th president. His remains will then travel to Atlanta for a moment of silence at the Georgia Capitol and a ceremony at the Carter Presidential Center.
Carter will lie in repose in Atlanta before being transported to Washington to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. His state funeral will take place at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, followed by a private funeral in Plains at Maranatha Baptist Church. He will be laid to rest next to his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, near their home in Plains.
