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The state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter begins Saturday, January 4, in Georgia, as the nation prepares to honor the 39th president’s life and legacy.
What’s Happening: The ceremonies start at 10:15 a.m. with a departure ceremony at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia. Carter’s remains will be carried by pallbearers from the United States Secret Service’s Carter Protective Division, who will also escort the hearse as it departs.
The motorcade will then pause briefly at Carter’s boyhood home in Plains at 10:50 a.m. for a ceremony that includes the ringing of a farm bell 39 times in honor of his presidency. National Park Service employees, some dressed in period attire, will be present.
After leaving Plains at approximately 10:55 a.m., the motorcade will travel to Atlanta, passing through Preston, Ellaville, Butler, Reynolds, and Fort Valley. Residents along the route are encouraged to line the streets to pay their respects.
By 3 p.m., the motorcade is scheduled to stop at the Georgia State Capitol for a moment of silence. Local leaders, including Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, will be in attendance to honor Carter’s service to the state.
The day concludes at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. An arrival ceremony is set for 3:45 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 4 p.m. Family members, including Carter’s son Chip and grandson Jason, will speak. Musical performances will include selections such as The Navy Hymn and Battle Hymn of the Republic by the Morehouse College Glee Club.
Public Viewing Opportunities: Starting at 7 p.m., Carter will lie in repose at the Carter Presidential Center. The public may visit until 6 a.m. on January 7. MARTA will provide free shuttles between King Memorial Station and the Carter Center for visitors.
Road Closures and Security: Temporary road closures and traffic delays are expected throughout the day, particularly along Highway 280 near Plains and roads surrounding the Carter Center in Atlanta. Visitors should allow extra time for travel and security screenings.
How to Watch: Those unable to attend in person can watch the events online. Local news outlets 11Alive and Fox 5 will stream the funeral live on their websites and mobile apps. On television, parts of the procession will be aired on C-Span.
What’s Next: Public visitation will continue through the weekend, and additional services are planned in Plains next week. For updates and details, visit the official funeral information page at jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
