President Joe Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, former presidents and other dignitaries came together Thursday to honor the life of former President Jimmy Carter at a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Grandson Jason Carter and Biden were among those who delivered eulogies for the 39th president, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.
Residents of Plains, Georgia, are lined up to say their final goodbye to Plains native Jimmy Carter.
Joy Moore of Sparks, Georgia, waits along the downtown streets in Plains ahead of the final funeral procession of former President Jimmy Carter, on Jan. 9, 2025, in Plains, Georgia.
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William Charles Bell, 61, stands outside the Plains Depot ahead of the final funeral procession of former President Jimmy Carter, on Jan. 9, 2025, in Plains, Georgia.
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The former president grew up in the rural community in the 1920s in a home that didn’t have running water or electricity. After the White House, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter returned to Plains, where they were staple fixtures in the small town for decades.
Jimmy Carter died in Plains on Dec. 29.
The family is holding a private service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains Thursday afternoon.
Jan 09, 2025, 1:48 PM EST
Plane takes off for Georgia
The plane carrying former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has taken off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, marking the last time the 39th president leaves the Washington, D.C., area.
The flag-draped casket of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is carried to Special Air Mission 39, during a departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Jan. 9, 2025.
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Carter is returning to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his family will hold a private service and burial.
Jan 09, 2025, 12:25 PM EST
Carter to return to Plains
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket was carried out of Washington National Cathedral to the strains of "Hail to the Chief" at the conclusion of the service.
The flag-draped casket of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is carried by a joint services military honor guard as it leaves the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, January 9, 2025.
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A joint services body bearer team carries the casket of former President Jimmy Carter after a state funeral service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Jan. 9, 2025.
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The remains of former US President Jimmy Carter are carried by an honor guard on departure from the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, after a State Funeral Service, Jan. 9, 2025.
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Next, the hearse will drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The casket will be placed on a plane to return to Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private service.
The 39th president, who died on Dec. 29 at age 100, will be buried in Plains next to his beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96.
The casket of former President Jimmy Carter is carried out of the National Cathedral in Washington, after his state funeral, Jan. 9, 2025.
Haiyun Jiang/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
9:15
Jimmy Carter's casket departs National Cathedral
Jimmy Carter’s body will now head to his final resting place in Georgia after the funeral.
ABCNews.com
Jan 09, 2025, 11:59 AM EST
'Your spirit will remain with us'
"I don't mean this with any disrespect, but, it's still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia,” said former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, prompting a big laugh from the crowd in the cathedral.
The Honorable Andrew Young speaks a Homily next to the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter, during a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington.
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Young, 92, was appointed to be U.N. Ambassador by Carter and was the first Black person to hold the position.
Young recalled how Carter grew up in a mostly Black county and had many Black friends. He said Carter asked that his roommate at the Naval Academy be the first Black midshipmen in hopes that he could help him adjust.
Carter "went out of his way to embrace those of us who had grown up in all kinds of conflict," Young said. "But that was the sensitivity, the spirituality that made James Earl Carter a truly great president."
Jack Carter and his wife Liz Grandson react at the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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Jack Carter and his wife Liz Grandson react at the state funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral on Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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"He never wavered from his commitment to God almighty and his love of all of God’s children," Young said. "Jimmy Carter was a blessing that helped to create a great United Staes of America. And for all of us, and many who are not able to be here, I want to say, thank you. You have been a blessing from God and your spirit will remain with us."
7:38
Andrew Young: Jimmy Carter had ‘tough mind and tender heart’
The former diplomat and activist spoke at the former president’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
