Jimmy Carter Returns to Hometown Plains, Georgia
U.S. service members with the Ceremonial Honor Guard carry the casket of President Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, during his state funeral service at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, Jan. 9, 2025. Military and civilian personnel assigned to Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) provided ceremonial and civil affairs support during Carter's state funeral. JTF-NCR is a joint service command tasked with planning and delivering precise ceremonial support during state funerals, while safeguarding the National Capital Region and collaborating on homeland defense (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Winn).
Jimmy Carter returns to Plains, Georgia after funeral services conclude in Washington, D.C. to be laid to rest surrounded by family and friends.
Article by Ella Doda, Senior Political Correspondent
PLAINS, Ga. - Former President Jimmy Carter returned home yesterday to Plains Georgia for burial at his family's peanut farm. He will be buried next to his wife, former First Lady Rosalyyn Carter, who passed away in 2023. “My home is wherever Rosalynn is,” Carter once exclaimed. His son Jeff arrived back in Georgia from D.C. for the private ceremony.
After his death on December 29, Carter’s casket was brought to the Navy Memorial and travelled to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where he laid in state; he was the 35th person in American history to receive this honor. Carter’s state funeral was held at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday. This day was declared as a national day of mourning for Carter as former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and President-elect Donald Trump paid their respects. The private ceremony in Georgia will be the last arrangement of funeral services for President Jimmy Carter.
Carter’s casket was transferred from Joint Base Andrews, where they boarded Special Air Mission 39, during a departure ceremony. Ceremonial troops presented arms and rendered honors including four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute. The U.S. Air Force Band played O Master and Let Me Walk with Thee as they carried the president’s remains to the aircraft carrier. The Special Honor Guard honored Carter with one final salute as Special Air Mission 39 departed JBA for Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, GA. Upon arriving in Fort Moore, Carter and his family travelled to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where he taught Sunday school for more than 40 years, sharing his wisdom and service with his community.
Kim Carter Fuller, Jimmy Carter’s niece, led Sunday school at the same church, sharing how much her uncle meant to her and how his legacy touched hearts around the world. Attendance at the private service was by invitation only, but the public was welcomed to line the motorcade route to honor Carter along the streets of his hometown.
Following the private service, the late president and his family travelled by motorcade to the Carter residence for a private interment. Prior to the interment, the U.S. Navy conducted a missing man formation flyover in honor of former President Carter’s naval service and his lifelong commitment to public service. “Jimmy Carter did justly, loved mercy, walked humbly… May he be raised up on eagle’s wings,” President Biden remarked during his eulogy to former President Carter. The two worked closely together as friends and colleagues for decades. President Biden mourns the loss of his friend, but celebrates his life as an example of what it means to be a true, honorable American.
President Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to the American people and will be remembered for his bravery, selflessness, honesty, and compassion. His humble legacy will continue on and his advocacy work continues to impact those he left behind.