Former president Jimmy Carter remembered for humility, sense of fairness at state funeral

Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president who led the country during challenging times in the late 1970s, was remembered during his state funeral on Thursday as a man who prioritized honesty and kindness over politics.

President Joe Biden, who had long supported Carter’s presidential ambitions, delivered a heartfelt eulogy for the former president, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100. Biden had been the first U.S. senator to endorse Carter during his 1976 campaign.

Biden described Carter as "a man who never let the tides of politics divert him from his mission to serve and shape the world. The man had character."

The service was attended by hundreds of mourners, including all five living U.S. presidents, who gathered at the Washington National Cathedral. As the ceremony began, Carter's flag-draped coffin was carried up the cathedral's steps by a military honor guard, following its two-day stay at the Capitol, where the public had the opportunity to pay their respects.

Several international dignitaries, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, also attended the service.

During the ceremony, personal tributes highlighted Carter’s impact. Gerald Ford, the late president and Carter’s predecessor, wrote a tribute to Carter, recalling how the two shared the experience of marrying "way above ourselves." Ford’s son, Steven, read these words aloud.

Tens of thousands of Americans visited the U.S. Capitol over the preceding days to honor Carter, who served from 1977 to 1981 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian efforts.

The funeral ceremony began with Joshua Carter, the late president's grandson, recalling how Carter was deeply inspired by his Christian faith. Later, another grandson, Jason Carter, paid tribute to Carter’s post-presidency achievements, particularly noting his work with the Carter Center to combat diseases like guinea worm, which once affected millions globally.

Jason shared personal memories of his grandfather, including their fishing trips, where Carter’s appreciation for nature was evident. "He shared the world with me: The power of an atom. The beauty and complexity of a south Georgia forest," Jason Carter reflected. "When we fished, he celebrated the majesty of everything from the smallest minnow to that grand circulation of waters. And he shared this love with my boys."

Andrew Young, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and close ally of Martin Luther King Jr., recalled Carter’s life in the racially diverse town of Plains, Georgia, where he grew up. Young remembered Carter’s "tough mind and a tender heart," and praised his lifelong dedication to defending minority rights.

"Jimmy Carter's deeds of love and mercy inspired us every day of his life," Young said.

Carter, who lived longer than any other U.S. president, had been in hospice care for nearly two years before his death. His final public appearance had been at his wife Rosalynn's funeral in November 2023. At that time, Carter appeared frail and used a wheelchair.

Special tributes were also presented by former president Gerald Ford and Carter’s vice president, Walter Mondale, who passed away in 2021. Mondale’s tribute, read by his son Ted Mondale, reflected on their close collaboration in the White House and the deep friendship that developed between the two men. "We told the truth, we obeyed the law, we kept the peace," Mondale wrote.

Ford, in his own tribute read by his son Steven, fondly recalled how both he and Carter were supported by their respective wives, Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter. "We both married way above ourselves," Ford wrote.

After the state funeral, Carter’s remains will be returned to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he spent 44 years after his presidency, focusing on diplomatic work and humanitarian efforts, including his long-time involvement with Habitat for Humanity.