(The Center Square) – Jimmy Carter, the first former American president to live to 100, arrived back in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Before the trip home, the former president was memorialized at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday morning before Special Air Mission 39 at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland took his casket on its final journey.
A short ceremony concluded the former president’s final flight from Washington, including the artillery salute during the hymn “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee,” played by the U.S. Air Force Band.
Carter’s remains, family, and guests arrived at Lawson Army Airfield in Fort Moore, Georgia, where they were greeted with a military guard band and a 21-gun salute.
Former Secret Service members who remained close to the Carter family were also at the airfield.
His remains were transferred to a hearse for a motorcade in preparation for his final drive to his beloved hometown.
The former president will be laid to rest in Plains, Georgia, where he was born in 1924 and remained a place he and his wife admired.
Before arriving at Maranatha Baptist Church for a private funeral service, bystanders of all ages were seen lining the streets of Plains to show their affection. Many were waving American flags.
Shortly after arriving at the church, the U.S. Navy conducted a “Missing Man” formation flyover to honor Carter’s naval service and his time as commander in chief.
Carter’s living successors and close friends filled the church where he was a longtime member and taught Sunday school for years, which his grandson Jason labeled “his longest job.”
Maranatha Baptist Church’s pastor, Ashley Gutha, started the service by addressing the long days the Carter families have endured, and leading in prayer.
“Exhaustion has been an unwelcome companion for days. Our eyesight is blurry, our emotions frail, and our steps feel unsteady,” said Gutha.
She continued, “Seeds of equality, justice, humility, and freedom were planted by President Carter and Rosalynn, and they are now ours to tend here in Plains, in the United States, and in the world.”
The intimate service was officiated by the family’s personal pastor, Tony Lowden.
Lowden began the service and led those attending in prayer, asking for comfort for the family and those who knew him. He said, “It’s been a long ride.”
Lowden commented that Carter was a man of faith, courage, and conviction. He came into office in the 1970s when the country was divided politically.
“It sounds like we’re there today,” he said.
In what Lowden called “true Jimmy Carter fashion,” he said it was only fitting that the former president passed right before the country underwent a transition of Congress and right before an inauguration.
He noted that the late president is still teaching Americans a lesson on faith and hope, urging people to live their lives by the Bible.
Rev. Lowden reminded everyone of the four questions that Carter always asked him: “Where have you been? What have you done? Who have you helped? And how can I help you?”
“I imagined that last Sunday when God opened up the doors and said, ‘Jimmy, come on home,’ that there was an angel in the back, ringing the bell 39 times,” Lowden said.
Lowden ended the sermon by saying, “Don’t let his legacy die. Don’t let this nation die. Let faith and hope be our guardrails.”
Calling out Carter’s caregivers, Lowden asked them to stand for applause from the family, acknowledging what they had done for him and “making life worth living.”
The church members in attendance were also called to stand for applause as the pastor thanked them for making life pleasant for Carter in their church home.
After the funeral service, the late president’s body and his family traveled once more by motorcade to the Carter residence, passing many still gathered in the streets despite the cold weather to say farewell.
He will be laid to rest beside his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who passed in November 2023, under a willow tree at their home.
The Carters left their house to the National Park Service, of which he was a devoted supporter.
The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is a tribute to Carter and his legacy.
It encompasses several locations associated with his life, including his childhood home and farm, the high school he and Rosalynn attended, their home, and the railroad depot used as his headquarters for his presidential campaign.
Several political leaders, family, and admirers had gathered at the Cathedral this morning in Washington to celebrate the former President’s life and legacy.
The attendees included five living presidents: Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
