PLAINS, Ga. — Hundreds of people traveled to Plains, Georgia Thursday to say their final goodbyes to former President Jimmy Carter. After a funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral, Carter and his family were taken back to Plains for one final service and trip through his hometown.

Ben Sosby was one of the people to attend the funeral service at Carter’s church, Maranatha Baptist in Plains. That is where he first met the Carters years ago. Soon after, he was being invited over for lunch and receiving phone calls from former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

“I was sitting there one Sunday and she leaned over and asked him what they were doing for lunch that day, and then she leaned back to me and said ‘Ben come over and help clean out the refrigerator,'” Sosby recalled.

Thursday was a difficult day for Sosby. He said he and Carter had become good friends.

“Even though he was the person he was in the public, that was him in private life,” Sosby explained.

Outside of the church and throughout plains, people lined the streets. They waved flags and signs in honor of the president. Shenita James traveled from Parrot, Georgia to pay her respects. She was overcome with emotion as Carter’s motorcade passed.

“Tears of joy…job well done Mr. Carter. He did a great thing, and his heart and everything that he did will forever live on,” James said.

Carter and his family arrived in Plains around 5 p.m. Thursday for a private funeral service at Maranatha Baptist Church. Just before 7 p.m., Carter made his final trip through Plains with his family walking behind him. People thanked them and gave well wishes as his family passed by. He was buried at his home next to Rosalynn.

While he will greatly miss Carter, Sosby believes his legacy and spirit of service will live on for years to come.

“He taught me how to be an example like he wanted me to be,” Sosby said.