Thousands pay respects to Jimmy Carter — a president, peanut farmer and 'incredible humanitarian'

Caption

A memorial at the entrance of the Carter Center is covered in flowers, flags and notes from those who are remembering the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29, 2024.

Credit: GPB

Mourners flocked to the Carter Center in Atlanta to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter during a period of public repose.

Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024 in Plains, Ga. at 100 years old.

More than 10,000 people visited during the first 24 hours of Carter's viewing, which began Saturday at 7 p.m.

By the end of the repose at 6 a.m. Tuesday, more than 23,000 had attended.

Visitors arrived on foot or by special MARTA shuttle bus from King Memorial station — there was no parking on site at the Carter Center for this event. Once in line and screened, mourners were led through the Carter museum and presidential library to see artifacts from Carter’s life and presidency before arriving where he lay in state.

Military guards stood vigil over the the flag-draped casket both day and night inside the center's simple and austere setting, flanked by tall windows overlooking the grounds.

19-year-old William Mendoza drove 214 miles from Knoxville, Tenn., to the Carter Center in Atlanta for the repose. He was one of the first in line before the Center opened.

“It's a really great refresher of who Jimmy Carter was, such a man who was willing to work for everyone, no matter who you are — a man that was willing to put the people first and not their political party,” he said.

Lisa Miller from Jacksonville, Fla., said Carter appealed to people across the political spectrum and she admired his faith.

"Because of his Christian beliefs and the things that he's done, you know, it crosses both political parties," she said. "I just think of the peanut farmer that, you know, he came from a normal background like us. I'm a teacher and my husband works for the local government. And, you know, [Carter] was able to work his way up without playing dirty politics, in a sense."

Wendy Davis from Rome, Ga., said when she hears the name Jimmy Carter, the descriptions that come to mind are "a humanitarian, a leader, a person who really cares about their fellow man, a protector of voting rights and a beautiful Christian." 

"I'm a longtime fan and admirer of the president and just felt like this was an appropriate way to pay my respects," she said. "And it's an important part of history and just felt like the right thing to do."

Scott Lyle from New York City was visiting his mother in Georgia when he got the news that Carter had passed away. Like Carter, Lyle was a frequent worker on Habitat for Humanity homes.

"I volunteered with him on nine Carter builds from India to Haiti to Lagrange, Ga., to L.A. to Detroit," he said. "I got to see what some people don't get to see up close: He was an amazing man. He cared about others. He walked the walk. And I can't think of anyone else that I would want to stand in line to pay my respects for."

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Rolonda Alexander Edun and her son Torritse Edun walked to the Carter Center to pay their respects to Jimmy Carter on Jan. 6, 2024.

Credit: GPB

On Sunday and Monday, those who wished to pay their respects did so amidst bitter cold temperatures and high winds. 

Lisl Huber of Atlanta brought her three young children. Her daughter suggested they bring white roses to lay at the makeshift memorial at the sign.

"They were excited because my daughter learned about him in school and what a great humanitarian he is," she said. "And so we wanted to come and she actually had the idea to go get flowers this morning because she wanted to give those to him in honor of his service to our country."

Rolonda Alexander Edun and her son Torritse Edun walked to the Carter Center to join the line. 

"I think it's important because Jimmy Carter was the first for everything," Ms. Edun said. "Even though we are here to pay respects because of his passing, he was our longest living president — 100 years old. That's a blessing. And he did so much for the people, people of color, people not of color — just everybody. He was a one-term president but he should have been a two-term president, but I understand the plight at the time. [Being here] is important, very important."

The former president's casket was to be flown to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 7 before returning to Georgia for his burial Jan. 9 in Plains.