Former President Jimmy Carter laid to rest on Thursday

PLAINS, Ga. – People from all over came to pay their final respects to former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday.

After a week’s worth of funeral proceedings, people are coming from all over to plains to pay their final respects to Former President Jimmy Carter as he’s laid to rest in his hometown.

From Future Farmers of America students to people who knew the extended Carter family, thousands made the trip to Sumter county to say farewell to the 39th President.

“You could say he’s a role model to a lot of us because with plenty of aspirations to lead this country, a lot of us would look forward to the opportunity to be a President someday,” said Jacob Hagin, Marion County High School FFA.

“It’s quite an experience to live in a community where the actual President of the United States was from, and he’s just been such a factor in this area and for the world. We just wanted to be here today to celebrate him,” said Kaitha Stewart, Roswell.

And… whether or not they were around to see Jimmy Carter in the White House, his legacy during and after the presidency is what people will remember.

“Now, obviously, I’m too young to remember any of his Presidency. I know he is regarded as not one of the greatest, but when it comes to being an American citizen, he’s certainly one of our best. And, I would refer to him as a model citizen for all of us to reflect on,” said Patrick Higgins, Washington D.C.

“…We’re talking about, remembering the night that he won the election. The all the nights that we’ve spent right out here on the roadways and especially the night he came home after he was defeated and the hostages were released and it was pouring rain and people were lined up all along the highway. And, it was just the most poignant night I can remember,” said Ginger Swint, Buena Vista.

“Knowing the Carters as we did. We realized that anybody could end up growing up and being the President. And, I think that was a great lesson for me as a youth, to see what was capable,” said Stewart.

And…the public was able to pay their respects as the former President can now be at peace.

Former President Jimmy Carter is buried on the grounds of the Carter residence, next to his wife, Rosalynn.

Brian Roche reporting.

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