Jimmy Carter to be honored in Georgia today with procession and service

Six days of events honoring former President Jimmy Carter will commence on Saturday, featuring a procession through his hometown of Plains, Georgia, tributes at the state Capitol, and a private service at the Carter Center in Atlanta, where his body will lie in repose until Tuesday. Carter passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, having served in the U.S. Navy before entering politics and ultimately becoming the 39th president in 1976.

Throughout his life, Carter was recognized not only for his presidency but also for his extensive humanitarian efforts post-office. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to advancing international peace, democracy, and human rights. His grandson, Jason Carter, shared that while he was a leader on the world stage, to the family he was simply "a grandfather" that the country and the world shared.

The events will begin on Saturday morning in Americus, Georgia, where Carter's family will arrive at a local medical center. Current and former Secret Service agents will respectfully accompany his casket as the motorcade departs for Plains. In a touching tribute, the procession will pause outside the farm where Carter grew up, with the National Park Service ringing a bell 39 times to honor his legacy as the nation’s 39th president.

Following the tribute in Plains, the motorcade will travel to the Georgia State Capitol for a moment of silence attended by state officials. It will then proceed to the Carter Center for an arrival ceremony and private service, after which his body will lie in repose until Tuesday morning. Carter's journey will then lead to Washington, D.C., where additional ceremonies will honor his contributions and legacy.

Carter will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol until Thursday, allowing members of Congress and the public to pay their respects. A state funeral will take place at the Washington National Cathedral, after which his remains will return to Georgia for a private service at Maranatha Baptist Church. The farewell will conclude with a motorcade through Plains, culminating in a private burial, marked by a U.S. Navy missing man formation flyover.