PLAINS, Ga. — Locals and visitors alike, from the Dollar General to the local high school, shared their thoughts of admiration for Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100 on Sunday. Carter, originally from Plains, rose to be a beloved figure and the leader of the free world.

On Monday morning, two National Park Service rangers placed wreaths with black ribbons on the doors of the building that was once Carter’s high school.

This school is now the Plains High School Visitor Center, which focuses on educating visitors about Carter’s impact.

Sandra Hicks, who resides nearby in Americus, Georgia, was visiting the center with her grandkids to impart knowledge about Carter’s legacy.

“It’s important for them to learn about his origins and have a personal experience of what his life was like,” Hicks explained.

Hicks fondly recalled her encounters with the Carters while working at the photo center in the Walmart in Americus.

“He always felt approachable, even with the Secret Service around,” said Hicks.

Her grandson Jaxson Hughes, 11, expressed his pride in having a president who understood the challenges faced by their local community.

Hicks also highlighted Carter’s extensive humanitarian work, especially with Habitat for Humanity, which positively impacted Americus.

Furthermore, she noted his influence in fostering a caring culture within the town.

“Learning about him has been undoubtedly enlightening,” Hughes remarked about their experience.

Also visiting the school was Nancy and Dave Shelbourne from Indianapolis, who were en route to Naples, Florida for the winter.

Following Carter’s death, they stopped in Plains to learn about the president whom their grandson is named after, even though he wasn’t named after Carter himself. They mentioned that Carter is their grandson’s favorite president.

They wanted to extend their condolences and respect for Carter.

“It’s uplifting to realize there are still individuals like him dedicated to positively affecting humanity,” Dave Shelbourne reflected.

After the news of Carter’s death, the only store open late on Sunday night in Plains was Dollar General.

Penny Smith, a lifelong resident of Plains for 48 years, was among the shoppers at the store.

She spoke fondly of marrying into the community and her connections with Carter.

“It was quite an experience. I worked for the city for many years, closely involved with President Carter’s initiatives,” Smith recalled.

She was a part of the Better Hometown Program alongside Carter and helped establish the Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

“He was deeply committed to his community and contributed significantly. He will be profoundly missed,” said Smith.

She recounted an occasion when Carter sought her guidance regarding zoning issues for a house he was building. She was amazed that a U.S. president would ask for her help.

Such was the essence of Carter, according to Smith.

“He had a genuine love for everyone,” Penny Smith reflected. “He possessed a unique talent for fostering peace, something I observed in how he engaged with others throughout the years.”

Brad Bagwell, who drove up to the store a few minutes

After Smith praised Carter as an inspiring figure, Bagwell, who spent his childhood in Plains, returned to visit family.

“He truly embodies the spirit of the community, and everyone comes together around him,” Bagwell expressed. “He has always shown concern not just for the town, but for its residents.”

On Monday at Jimmy Carter’s Boyhood Farm, sisters Dawn Tarpley and Holly Cooper strolled with Mishka, Cooper’s service dog, a mix between a Pomeranian and a Husky.

The sisters had come from Texas for the visit, a trip they had planned prior to the president’s passing the day before.

“Carter was an extraordinary individual,” Cooper remarked.

The sisters, having been teenagers during the 1970s, recall Carter’s presidency vividly.

“We’ve admired him for such a long time,” Cooper continued, adding, “He was someone who stood firm for his convictions.”

Tarpley shared her sister’s thoughts.

“He lived his life with great integrity,” Tarpley stated.

As the afternoon progressed, more families began to arrive at the farm. Robin Melton, along with her family, came from Columbus, Georgia. She noted that Carter reminds her of her own father.

“Thinking about Carter is tough for me,” Melton shared. “I think of my dad, ” pointing out their shared values, especially their faith. “They both have a strong belief in prayer.”

She mentioned that she chose to visit Plains the day following his death to see the places he once inhabited and to connect with this history.

Her son, Kylan Dawson, recalled visiting the farm during holidays with their family, which included Melton’s father.

Robin Collins traveled from Lumpkin, about 25 miles away, to see the location with her three grandsons.

Collins observed that since moving to the area three years ago, she has recognized Carter’s significant impact on the community, contributing to local business growth.