ATLANTA — Thousands of Georgians gathered Saturday to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter as a motorcade carried his casket across the state. A moment of silence was observed outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, where lawmakers and citizens alike reflected on the life and legacy of the nation’s 39th president.

Gov. Brian Kemp, Mayor Andre Dickens and former Gov. Sonny Perdue were among those in attendance. 

The journey began in Americus in Sumter County. Angela Laster, a resident of Americus, recalled Carter’s kindness.

“At my uncle’s funeral back in 1988 — yes, my uncle used to work for him in Plains. So, I remember him being there. So, yes, I was off today. So, I couldn’t miss it,” Laster said.

Carter’s great niece, Cameron Carter-Hebert, said she’s proud to hear all of the kind words. 

“This is probably one of the only presidents I’ve seen that happen with — of everybody always having such good things to say about him — from leaders all over the nation,” Carter-Hebert said.

Carter’s influence extended far beyond his political achievements. State Senator Freddie Powell Sims described him as “a person who believed in integrity and equity, and he was a visionary.”

State Representative Bill Hitchens expressed that one of Carter’s key milestones in office was the groundbreaking decision to hire the first African American state trooper in Georgia.

“Prior to 1971, there was not an African American state trooper,” Hitchens said. “He was the first person to hire one.”

Lance Greene, a Georgia State Patrol officer, shared a personal memory from his childhood.

“The history goes back to about 1974. My father was a trooper, and when Governor Carter would go from Plains to Atlanta. He stopped in Thomaston–the town I’m from. And, obviously, I’m a 9-year-old kid. I don’t know who he is. And I know my father suddenly stood straight up when we entered the restaurant because he knows it’s the governor, and I don’t. And he waves me over. President Carter waves me over. And we sit. And we have breakfast,” Greene recounted, recalling the warmth that defined Carter’s character.

Sen. Sally Harrell said she connected with Carter’s passion for public education.

“He inspired not only adults and leaders throughout Georgia, but he inspired the children as well,” Harrell said.

Supreme Court Justice Charlie Bethal noted Carter’s enduring example of leadership and humanity. “It’s nice to be able to point to somebody and say, ‘If you want to live like another person, Jimmy Carter’s the sort of person that’s worth pursuing.’”

As the nation prepares for further tributes in Washington, D.C., Georgians remain deeply moved by the final farewell to their native son.