The state funeral of President Jimmy Carter, held in Washington on Thursday, honored his rich political legacy, his global humanitarian efforts, and his unwavering faith.

This ceremony was notable as it brought together both current and former U.S. Presidents, just days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration. President Joe Biden was present alongside Trump, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

Biden, in his eulogy, praised Carter by stating, “Throughout his life, he demonstrated what it means to be a person devoted to good deeds and a committed servant of God and his people.”

The memorial service at Washington National Cathedral drew family, friends, prominent political figures, and religious leaders who made their way through difficult weather conditions to pay tribute.

A separate service was held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, attended by Carter’s family. The church has been a long-standing place of worship for both Carter and his wife, Rosalynn.

Stay informed with the YSL News Network’s latest updates.

‘A life of service’

Tony Lowden, who served as Carter’s personal pastor, spoke movingly about Carter’s commitment to public service and humanitarian efforts during his eulogy at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.

“We gather here to honor the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter, a man of deep faith, bravery, and conviction,” Lowden remarked. “From his modest beginnings as a farmer in Georgia to his remarkable achievements as President, Carter exemplified the principles of dedicated service.”

– Marina Pitofsky

Carter family returns to Plains, Georgia, for private ceremony

After the state funeral in Washington, the Carter family returned to Plains, Georgia, for a more intimate funeral service at Maranatha Baptist Church. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had been devoted attendees of the church for many years, with Carter even teaching Sunday school there after his presidency.

As they proceeded to Carter’s home for private interment, residents of Plains and visitors lined the route of the motorcade to pay their respects.

In tribute to Carter’s tenure as commander-in-chief, the Navy conducted a ceremonial flyover.

– Marina Pitofsky

Biden begins eulogy

In his eulogy, Joe Biden reminisced about his last visit to Plains, Georgia, in 2021, the final time he saw Carter before his passing.

Biden and his wife, Jill, were warmly welcomed at the ranch home of the Carters, where they were treated “like family,” he recalled.

“Jimmy Carter’s friendship imparted to me  the significance of character,” Biden reflected. “It’s about the strength to acknowledge that every person deserves dignity and respect.”

– Savannah Kuchar

Jimmy Carter’s grandson honors his grandparents’ roots

Jason Carter, the oldest grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, highlighted his grandparents’ lifelong ties to their hometown of Plains, Georgia.

“They remained grounded in their small-town origins, no matter their life’s journey,” Jason Carter expressed to the audience.

“However, I also recognize that we are not here merely because he was an ordinary man,” he pointed out. “His political career and presidency were not only ahead of their time; they were visionary.”

– Marina Pitofsky

Carter aide celebrates former president’s accomplishments in office

Reflecting on Carter’s legacy, Eizenstat spoke about the former president’s time in politics and the principles that motivated him to take on public service. He highlighted Carter’s promise to be honest with the American people, particularly after the Watergate scandal, as well as his commitment to working across party lines and other important initiatives.

“He might not be a contender for Mount Rushmore,” Eizenstat noted, “but he certainly deserves a place in the lower ranges for his contributions to making the U.S. more robust and promoting global safety.”

– Marina Pitofsky

Gerald Ford’s son delivers a eulogy written by the late president

Steven Ford, son of the late President Gerald Ford, recited a eulogy for Carter that was originally composed by his father prior to his passing in 2006.

Steven began by expressing gratitude to the Carter family for their kindness following his father’s death, stating, “God did a good thing when He created your dad.”

He continued by sharing his father’s sentiments, addressing the assembled mourners: “By the twists of fate, Jimmy Carter and I were opponents for a short time. But in the many joyous years that followed, we forged a friendship akin to that of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.”

Carter triumphed over Ford in the 1976 presidential election, yet the two former rivals developed a close friendship in the years that ensued.

– Marina Pitofsky

A letter writer from Carter’s youth pays tribute

Upon learning that Carter was in hospice care in February 2023, J.T. Friel made plans to come from Idaho to pay his respects upon the former president’s passing.

As a 9-year-old, Friel had written a letter to Carter during his presidential campaign in 1976, which got a postcard response and later an invitation to attend his inauguration after he won.

Though he couldn’t attend the event, Friel became an ardent supporter of Carter, exploring his numerous books and following his charitable work.

“He was simply an incredible man, and I always dreamed of meeting him,” Friel, now retired from Idaho state government, expressed as he braved the cold for hours to catch a glimpse of the motorcade. “He dedicated his life to serving others and striving to do his utmost for humanity.”

– Christopher Cann

Trump and Pence greet each other despite strained history

During Carter’s funeral service, President-elect Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence shook hands, putting aside their chilly relationship.

Their discord deepened following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, during which Trump urged Pence to challenge electoral votes from some states won by President Joe Biden. Pence firmly resisted, remarking that there’s “almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president.”

Since then, both Trump and Pence have reciprocated blame for the Capitol incident during their rivalry in the 2024 Republican primary, which ultimately saw Pence withdraw from the race, declaring in a Fox News interview that he wouldn’t endorse Trump.

In his 2022 memoir, Pence reflected on the Capitol incident, mentioning that Trump’s “reckless words” posed a risk to his family that day.

– Sudiksha Kochi

Michelle Obama absent from Carter’s funeral

While many past presidents and their spouses filled the National Cathedral for Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, former First Lady Michelle Obama was noticeably absent.

CNN reported that Michelle Obama was unable to attend due to “scheduling conflicts” and was “still in Hawaii” at the time.

Former President Barack Obama, however, was present, seated beside President-elect Donald Trump. The Obamas had actively supported Trump’s 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, who was also in attendance.

Barack Obama and Trump were seen chatting amiably for several minutes before the ceremony began, sharing smiles and laughter.

– Savannah Kuchar

Will banks, post offices, and shipping services close on January 9, the national day of mourning?

In response to Jimmy Carter’s passing, Joe Biden has declared Thursday, January 9, as a national day of mourning.

Biden announced that flags will be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and lands for 30 days following Carter’s death. He urged Americans to gather on January 9 “in their respective places of worship” to honor Carter.

This is what you need to know regarding whether post offices, banks, and shipping services like UPS and FedEx will operate on January 9.

– Gabe Hauari

The bond between former VPs

Former Vice President Mike Pence was present at Carter’s funeral, seated between his wife, Karen, and fellow former VP Al Gore.

Recent reports from Politico indicated that Pence had a meaningful conversation with Gore over the summer, where he acknowledged the guidance he received from his Democratic predecessor.

Pence dismissed pressure from both rioters and fellow party members to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 6, 2021. His decision was influenced by Al Gore’s actions two decades earlier, when he conceded his defeat to President George W. Bush.

“I never forgot it,” Pence is reported to have told Gore.

“You don’t know how much that means,” Gore reportedly replied.

– Savannah Kuchar 

Crowd gathers to honor Carter’s casket

On Thursday, a crowd gathered outside the National Cathedral, eager to see the motorcade transporting the former president, along with family members and dignitaries attending the state funeral. Wrapped in heavy coats and scarves, many attendees traveled from across the nation to pay their respects during the week of commemorative events, with Carter’s remains lying in state from Tuesday night to Thursday morning. Lincoln Brown, 61, traveled from Chicago to honor the former president. He recounted his first meeting with Carter at a Minnesota church where the former president delivered a sermon. Brown, who was in his 20s then, remembered how approachable Carter was, asking him about his hometown and university studies. “He was so easy to talk to,” recalled Brown, a middle school science teacher. “That’s what sticks with me most.”

Among the attendees was Joyce Muis Lowery, who maneuvered her walker along Wisconsin Avenue. The retiree expressed a desire to “witness history” as she saw the hearse carrying the late president. “He was something special,” she stated, referring to Carter as “the epitome of decency and kindness.”

– Christopher Cann

Washington leaders recall their memories of Carter

Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100, outliving several of his contemporaries, including former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, former House Speaker Tip O’Neill, and his own vice president, Walter Mondale.

However, there are still individuals in Washington who witnessed Carter’s presidency firsthand.

Senator Chuck Grassley is the only current member of Congress who was active during Carter’s presidency. On Wednesday, the Iowa Republican visited Carter’s remains in the Capitol Rotunda to honor him.

“I will cherish the memory of Jimmy Carter; he is now at peace in his heavenly home,” Grassley wrote on X.

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington’s nonvoting representative, praised Carter as a “model” for presidents after leaving office, expressing her condolences to his family. Carter appointed Norton as chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1977, making her the first woman to hold that position.

President Joe Biden served as a senator from Delaware during Carter’s administration, and he will be delivering a eulogy at Carter’s funeral on Thursday morning.

– Savannah Kuchar 

Trump and Melania Trump honor Carter at the Capitol

On Wednesday evening, President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrived at the Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects to Carter. They quietly stood before his flag-draped casket, which was surrounded by a military honor guard. Trump later spoke with reporters about his visit with the Carter family.

“I went to Blair House with the First Lady and met with the Carter family. They were wonderful. They were deeply saddened, yet celebrating, because he was a remarkable man. Though I didn’t know him well, I recognized him as a fine individual,” he stated. He is anticipated to attend Carter’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.

— Sudiksha Koch

Biden and Harris set to depart for Carter’s Funeral at 9:05 a.m

According to the White House, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will be accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff as they leave the White House to attend former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. Their departure is scheduled for 9:05 a.m.

In an interview with YSL News on Sunday, Biden mentioned that he promised Carter he would speak at his eulogy back in 2021.

“I bent down to say goodbye — he was in fragile health — and he asked me to give his eulogy,” Biden recalled of their last conversation, which took place on Biden’s 100th day in office.

—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Public Mourners Honoring Carter in Washington

Phyllis Sylvester, 71, traveled approximately 30 miles from Brookeville, Md., to join her daughter, Lauren Sylvester, in the nation’s capital. She expressed that it was vital for her to honor a man like Carter.

“People were genuinely moved by his humanity and his patriotism. He had a great love for the people just an incredible human being,” said Phyllis, who supported Carter during her twenties.

Aggie Heller, 68, attended Carter’s 1977 Inaugural Parade and made the trip back nearly 50 years later to witness his casket arrival at the Capitol and to pay her respects.

“I am here because he was such a good man,” she remarked. “His loyalty to the country was unparalleled.”

— Savannah Kuchar and Christopher Cann

Funeral Services for Carter Started Last Week

The funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter commenced on Saturday, honoring the 39th president who passed away last Sunday at the age of 100. These funeral events will span six days, celebrating Carter’s life and legacy.

A motorcade began its journey in the morning near Carter’s hometown of Plains. The sound of a bell tolling 39 times interrupted the morning stillness as it rang at Carter’s boyhood home. (This bell had similarly tolled during Carter’s early life, which he referenced in the title of his memoir.)

Afterwards, his remains were taken to the state capitol in Atlanta, where a moment of silence was observed at the Capitol before a memorial service at the Carter Center.

Who Was Jimmy Carter?

Jimmy Carter, born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, was the son of a farmer and a nurse, according to his official biography. He spent his childhood in nearby Archery, attended public schools, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, eventually becoming a nuclear engineer and serving on the second nuclear submarine. He married Rosalynn Smith in 1946.

Following his father’s passing, Carter returned to manage the family farm and established a seed and farm supply business in Plains. He served in the Georgia Senate before becoming governor in 1971.

Carter ran for president as a Democrat in 1976 and won, starting his term at 52 years old, serving only a single term in the White House.

As president, he expanded diplomatic relations abroad, invested in energy initiatives, and increased the national park areas for Americans. However, his presidency also faced challenges like inflation and the American hostage crisis, which likely affected his re-election, resulting in a loss to Ronald Reagan.

Carter had a notable post-presidency, engaging in humanitarian efforts worldwide, particularly in combating preventable diseases. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to “finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advancing democracy and human rights, and promoting economic and social development.”

On November 19, 2023, Rosalynn Carter passed away at their home in Plains at the age of 96.