Jimmy Carter will be buried Thursday in his hometown Plains after a six-day funeral procession that began Saturday in southwest Georgia and traveled to Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
Follow along here today as the AJC shares real-time dispatches from journalists at the scene in the nation’s capital and Georgia.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported extensively on Carter’s life and legacy since the Georgia peanut farmer-turned-president died Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Our reporters and photographers also have chronicled the funeral procession every step of the way.
In addition to today’s live updates and analysis, we invite you to browse the AJC’s collection of Jimmy Carter coverage. You’ll find stories, photo galleries and videos about Jimmy Carter — from his early days in Plains to his time in the White House to his post-presidential life.
President Jimmy Carter has returned home.
Around 7:30 p.m., military members carried his casket to the family home where he will be buried alongside wife, Rosalynn.
Carter's family stood beside the casket.
Despite the late hour and chilly temperature, members of the Carter family walked behind the hearse containing his casket as it traveled through Plains.
The hearse is traveling to the Carter home for a private interment. He will be buried beside Rosalynn.
Pastor Tony Lowden acknowledged many of those in the church who had cared for the Carters and been part of their lives.
Lowden also asked Mary Prince, Amy Carter's former nanny, to stand. While those attending the funeral clapped, Amy Carter walked back to where Prince was seated and the two women hugged.
Three troops followed by Lowden and another minister led the procession accompanying President Carter’s remains back to the hearse, a light inside the vehicle briefly illuminating the casket.
The motorcade is driving away from Maranatha into the cool, dark night.
President Carter's casket was loaded into a hearse outside Maranatha Baptist Church for his final trip: to his home.
The motorcade, including Carter family members and close friends, will head to the Carter family home for a private interment.
The procession will travel through downtown Plains before ending the trip at his home.
The funeral service ended around 6:20 p.m. Then, President Jimmy Carter left his beloved Maranatha Baptist Church for the final time.
His flag-draped casket was led down the aisle as the church organist played "Imagine" and then "It Is Well with My Soul" as those in the church stood.
Outside the church, the casket will be returned to the hearse for a final trip through Plains and then home.
The honor guard and Army band are back on a now-darkened lawn in front of Maranatha Baptist Church while inside, Lowden honors the former president’s caregivers, his church community, Carter Center staff and all those who helped Carter. The service is nearing the end.
Lowden told all of the Carter family members he loved them. He then ended his benediction with words he said he heard from Carter himself:
"I love you all, and there's nothing you can do about it."
In his eulogy, Lowden recounted the boyhood origins of Carter’s deep faith and how it guided all of his actions as president and beyond.
“JC gave his best to the world,” Lowden said, referring to the former president by his initials.
His eulogy was part remembrance of his friend and part exhortation to those listening to “pick up the baton” and follow the example that Carter set in helping others. He noted the division in the country now and how the U.S. is on the brink of a leadership transition.
“Don’t let his legacy die, don’t let this nation die. Let faith and hope be our guardrails,” Lowden said.
For those who could not get into Maranatha Baptist Church, or couldn’t stand in the cold, they gathered in the auditorium of Carter’s old high school and watched the service on a big screen.
Carter attended Plains High School.
The Rev. Tony Lowden, Carter's personal pastor, said the President "embodied the idea of a life of service."
On Dec. 29, Carter was "called home," Lowden said. The President was 100.
Lowden spoke about Carter, who he called "JC" during the service, helping build houses and working to eradicate diseases.
"President Carter reminds us today that we can make a difference," Lowden said.
Lowden focused on what he called "the book," the Bible which guided Carter through his life.