Mourners across the United States gathered to honor former President Jimmy Carter as his state funeral began on Saturday in Georgia. The ceremony marked the start of a six-day period of remembrance for the 39th president, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, making him the longest-lived president in U.S. history (source).

The procession commenced from Carter's home in Plains, Georgia, where his flag-draped casket rolled through town, stopping at significant locations that shaped his life, including his childhood home, family farm, and the site of the old peanut warehouse where he began his journey as a public servant. This intimate journey reflected Carter's deep rural roots and remarkable rise as a political leader, humanitarian, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (source). Hundreds lined the streets, some holding flowers and sharing their memories, underscoring the profound impact Carter had on those he served.

Among the mourners was Heather Brooks, who expressed admiration for Carter, noting his kindness and humility. “He has done so much for the world, not just America,” she said, highlighting Carter’s humanitarian legacy that's resonated globally (source).

The motorcade included pallbearers who were former Secret Service agents, underlining Carter’s relationship with those who protected him throughout his decades in public life. The procession paused for a moment of silence at the Georgia Capitol, where Governor Brian Kemp led tributes to the man who had dedicated his life to serving others. From there, the casket was taken to the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, where Carter will lie in repose until Tuesday morning, allowing the public to pay their respects (source).

Expected remarks from former presidents at the upcoming services will further celebrate Carter’s long-standing commitment to democracy, public health, and humanitarian efforts. His life was shaped by the challenges of poverty and segregation in the rural South, experiences that informed his dedication to equal rights and justice throughout his presidency and beyond (source). Family members, including his grandson Jason Carter, spoke about their pride in his life’s work: “His spirit fills this place; you continue the vibrant living legacy of what is my grandfather’s life work,” he stated.

Carter's journey will continue as his remains are taken to Washington, D.C., where he will lie in state at the Capitol before a formal funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday. Following that, there will be a private service in Plains, where he will be interred beside his beloved wife, Rosalynn, who passed away in November 2023. The poignant farewell to this remarkable leader captures a lifetime dedicated to compassion, integrity, and humanity, reflecting the sentiments of those who gathered to pay their final respects to a truly cherished figure (source).