Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100 years old, will have six days of funeral ceremonies starting Saturday in Georgia, where he lived most of his life. The first events celebrate his beginnings from a small town to a big global leader.
Saturday Events: Honoring His Roots
The funeral events start at 10:15 a.m. EST with the Carter family arriving at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. Former Secret Service agents, who protected him, will carry his casket as it leaves the hospital.
Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, a tiny town with about 700 people. He spent most of his life there, even after serving as president.
The motorcade will drive through downtown Plains, passing important places like the home of his wife, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away just a month ago, and the gas station his brother used to run. It will also stop at the Methodist church where the Carters got married in 1946 and the house where they lived and died. Jimmy Carter will be buried next to Rosalynn in their home.
Remembering His Childhood
At about 10:50 a.m., the motorcade will stop at Carter’s boyhood home in Archery, just outside Plains. This farm is now part of a historical park. To honor him, the park will ring the old farm bell 39 times, one for each year he served as president.
Carter was unique because he became president after taking over the family peanut business instead of going straight into politics.
In Atlanta for a Memorial
After the visit to Archery, the motorcade will head to Atlanta, stopping outside the Georgia Capitol at 3 p.m. Georgia officials will lead a moment of silence there.
Next, the motorcade will arrive at the Carter Presidential Center around 3:45 p.m. A private service will follow at 4 p.m. From 7 p.m. Saturday until Monday morning, people can come to honor Carter.
Carter was known for his work as a global leader, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts after his presidency.
Next Steps: Journey to Washington
After Atlanta, Carter’s body will move to Washington, D.C., where he will lie in state in the Capitol until his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday at 10 a.m. President Joe Biden will give a eulogy.
Afterward, the Carter family will return to Plains for a private funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years. He will be buried in a simple spot where his family can see him from their porch.
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