Plains: State funeral services for the late 39th President Jimmy Carter took place in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, on Saturday. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, was honored by hundreds of mourners who lined the streets as his motorcade traveled to Atlanta, approximately 260 kilometers away. The community paid tribute with flowers at the Carter monument and a bell rang 39 times at his Boyhood Farm.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the atmosphere in Plains was not marked by sorrow or grief but by gratitude for Carter’s achievements throughout his century-long life. Jason Carter, Carter’s grandson and chair of the Carter Presidential Center’s board, spoke at a ceremony in Atlanta, highlighting the former president’s enduring legacy. He expressed that the spirit of Carter fills the center, and acknowledged the ongoing efforts of its employees.
Carter’s presidency, which spanned from 1977 to 1981, was notable for significant diplomatic achievements. He signed the Panama Canal Treaties, restoring Panama’s jurisdiction over the canal by 2000, and witnessed the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China was also a hallmark of his tenure, a move deeply mourned by China, as noted by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
Post-presidency, Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center, which focused on global humanitarian efforts and further cemented his legacy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised Carter’s contributions to international peace and security, emphasizing his enduring influence as a peacemaker and human rights advocate.
Carter will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta until Tuesday. His funeral journey will continue to Washington, D.C., where he will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol before a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden is expected to deliver a eulogy. Carter will be laid to rest in Plains, next to his wife Rosalynn, who passed away in 2023 after 77 years of marriage.
