The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter passed away last month aged 100. His funeral service – declared a national day of mourning by current President Joe Biden – was held today at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. It was attended by all of the country’s five living presidents – Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Biden, along with Carter’s grandson and former President Gerald Ford’s son, gave eulogies at the funeral which was held today, January 9, 2025. Carter is remembered as a citizen of the world, whose ambition to better other people’s lives remains an inspiration for many.
Life and Death of the 39th US president
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the U.S., is widely celebrated for his humanitarian efforts and lifelong commitment to peace and human rights. As president, he is remembered for pardoning all Vietnam War draft evaders; fiercely opposing racial segregation; and supporting the country’s civil rights movement. Carter also played a leading role in brokering the Camp David Accords, a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel.
After serving as president from 1977 to 1981, Carter became renowned for his work through the Carter Center, an organization he co-founded in 1982 to promote democracy, resolve conflicts, and combat disease worldwide.
Among his notable achievements via the Carter Center include the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, a testament to his dedication to global health. He is also recognized for his advocacy for affordable housing through his decades-long involvement with Habitat for Humanity.
Carter’s tireless pursuit of justice and humanitarian causes earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and cemented his legacy as a statesman committed to utilizing his platform to make the world a better place.
Jimmy Carter’s funeral
“Character, I believe, is destiny. Destiny in our lives, and, quite frankly, destiny is the life of the nation. It’s an accumulation of a million things built on character that leads to a good life in a decent country,” said President Biden in his eulogy to Carter. “Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me, and through his life, he taught me, that strength of character is more than title or the power we hold. It’s the strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity, and respect, that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves an even shot.”
The 39th president’s character and dedication to doing right dominated the funeral proceedings. Steven Ford, Gerald Ford’s son, was candid in his eulogy, citing a letter about his dad’s friendly rivalry with Carter.
“By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals, but for the many wonderful years that followed, friendship bonded us as no two presidents since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. It is said that President Adams’s last words were ‘Thomas Jefferson still survives,'” said Gerald Ford in a letter read out by his son.
Carter’s grandson also delivered a heartfelt eulogy, talking about how his grandfather worked to tackle disease and how he was always willing to lend a helping hand.
“My grandfather spent the entire time I’ve known him helping those in need. He built houses for people that needed homes. He eliminated diseases in forgotten places. He waged peace anywhere in the world, wherever he saw a chance,” Carter said.
“We’ve all heard a lot lately about guinea worm disease. It’s an ancient and debilitating disease of poverty, and that disease will have existed from the dawn of humanity until Jimmy Carter,” he continued.
More events in honor of President Carter
After the initial public funeral service for President Jimmy Carter, his family and President Biden will accompany his remains to Joint Base Andrews. There, they will board Special Air Mission 39 to Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Georgia. A private funeral service will then be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains for the deceased president’s family and close friends.
Following the private funeral, a motorcade will take attendees to the Carter Residence. A U.S. Navy missing man formation will then do a flyover in honor of Carter’s naval service and time as commander in chief. The flyover will be followed by a private graveside ceremony and burial of the legendary U.S. president.