PLAINS, GA — The late President Jimmy Carter was laid to rest Thursday evening at his family’s peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, bringing an end to nearly a week of state funeral services. The private burial was attended only by Carter’s closest family members, marking a quiet and personal farewell to the 39th president. The ceremony took place at the Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter had taught Sunday school for nearly four decades, from 1981 until 2019.
“Family that knew him as Jimmy, not Jimmy Carter, are here today,” said Megan Allen, chief of public affairs for the U.S. Air Force, reflecting the intimate nature of the service.
Before this final, private moment, a series of public and private memorials paid tribute to Carter’s legacy. His body made a solemn journey through various locations, from his rural hometown of Plains to Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Fort Moore, before returning to Plains for one last drive through the streets he knew so well.
As the motorcade passed, the sound of Army horns and drums echoed through the air, honoring the former president’s distinguished service. His grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers, carrying the casket during the funeral procession. The motorcade then made its way to Carter’s small residence, located just a few miles from downtown Plains, where he had lived for much of his life.
At the burial site, military personnel fired a 21-gun salute to honor Carter’s life and contributions, marking a poignant moment before he was laid to rest beside his wife, Rosalynn, who passed away in 2023.
Earlier that day, President Joe Biden delivered a moving eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral, and declared January 9 as a national day of mourning in honor of Carter’s lasting impact on the nation.
