Former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral proceedings begins as motorcade leaves Phoebe Sumter
AMERICUS, Ga. – A week of funeral proceedings for former President Jimmy Carter begins just down the road from his hometown of Plains, as the motorcade for Carter leaves Phoebe Sumter Medical Center…
As Jimmy Carter’s body is taken from Phoebe’s Sumter county campus, we met with Dr. Michael Raines, Carter’s personal physician, about the former President’s final years.
“He was a simple guy who enjoyed the simple things in life, and it was a pleasure to take care of him before he went into hospice. And, I felt honored to be able to continue to take care of him while he was on hospice services,” said Dr. Michael Raines, Pres. Carter’s Physician, Phoebe.
And the outpouring of support for the former President is being felt by his family as they gather for the start of the funeral proceedings.
Just ask Jimmy carter’s great-niece, Cameron.
“It doesn’t really hit home until like last night. I went through the town of Plains and seeing all the media set up really hit home with me, and that’s when I think I had some tears flow. And, then today, when they bring him out, it will remind me of when they did with Aunt Rosalynn. And, that too, will also be ‘okay, this is really happening,” said Cameron Hebert, Jimmy Carter’s grand-niece.
Over the course of the week, people across the country will be able to pay their respects to the 39th President…
But… for those who knew him in Sumter county, they’re celebrating the man he was in life.
“President Carter made a very important project of his to have his family together at least once a year. He’d take them on a Christmas vacation. The entire family in different places in the country. And, I think that kept the family grounded and informed with each other,” said Dr. Raines.
“I just will never forget the times when we have our little family Christmas get togethers that we used to have that were so special to us from both sides of the family. Get together and then just see him ride around town on his bike. He’d come up and visit us at the house, just checking in on you. Just things like that. And, the little phone calls he would make. You don’t really realize how much they mean until they’re no longer there anymore,” said Herbert.
And… while the public pays their respects in Atlanta and Washington, Sumter county moves towards saying goodbye to Jimmy Carter for the final time.
The former President is currently lying in repose at The Carter Center in Atlanta.
Carter’s casket will be moved to the capitol building Tuesday morning.
Brian Roche reporting.
Copyright 2025 CBS 44 News South Georgia. All rights reserved.
