The body of former President Jimmy Carter returned to Georgia on Thursday to end over a week of tributes and memorials, including a state funeral in Washington, D.C.
Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024, at age 100.
After public visitation ended at the U.S. Capitol early Thursday morning, Carter's remains departed the Capitol at 9 a.m. via a motorcade to the Washington National Cathedral, passing by the White House on its trip.
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Former Ambassador Stu Eizenstat, Carter's grandson Jason Carter, and President Joe Biden delivered eulogies at the funeral. Steve Ford read remarks left by the late former President Gerald Ford, and Ted Mondale did the same for the late former Vice President Walter Mondale.
"He was given the gift of years and the American people and the people of the world will be forever blessed by his decades of good works. Jimmy Carter's legacy of peace and compassion will remain unique as it is timeless. The entire Ford family, we extend our love to you and we add our prayers to the prayers of tens of millions of people around the world," Steve Ford said on behalf of his father.
Musical selections included: "The Road Home" by the Cathedral Choir; "Amazing Grace" by Phyllis Adams and Lelia Bolden of Song Rise to Thee; "Imagine" by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood; "Eternal Father, Strong to Save," sung by the U.S. Marine Orchestra and Armed Forces Chorus; and "All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name."
After the service, Carter's remains traveled by motorcade to Joint Base Andrews and boarded Special Air Mission 39, which is one of the presidential planes that is designated Air Force One when a sitting president is onboard.
The plane landed in Fort Moore, Georgia, Thursday afternoon.
Carter's body will be taken to Maranatha Baptist Church where the former president taught Sunday school. There, members of the U.S. Secret Service – Carter Protective Division and their spouses were invited by the Carter family for an event to recognize "the significant role the U.S. Secret Service played in the late president’s life."
A private ceremony will then be held at the church.
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Following the ceremony, a motorcade will lead Carter's remains and family through the streets of Plains, Georgia. Officials said one of Carter’s long-standing requests was to "honor his beloved community and hometown of Plains, Georgia on the last day of his state funeral."
A private interment will be held for Carter at his residence Thursday evening.
