Remembering Jimmy Carter: Mourners pay tribute to former president in Atlanta

ATLANTA - It didn't take long for Georgians to begin paying their respects to former President Jimmy Carter after the news of his death was announced over the weekend.

On Sunday, the Carter Center confirmed Carter's death, saying the 100-year-old died peacefully at his home in Plains, surrounded by his family. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.

In Atlanta, Marisa Pyle told FOX 5 she heard the news of Carter's passing and came to the Carter Center to say her goodbyes at a makeshift memorial set up in front of the center's signs.

"I left a Yahrzeit candle, which is a Jewish memorial candle," Pyle said. "I'm not surprised I'm not the first person, but I'm glad that people are coming out."

(Eric Mock/FOX 5)

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Mary Jane Parker remembered Carter as a person with strong religious values who cared for everyone and continued his service long after leaving the White House.

"The great thing about President Carter was that, not only when he was president, but after, he continued to serve the American people," Parker said.

Craig Withers spent more than 30 years traveling all over the world with the former president, working to ensure free elections and eradicate the tropical parasite guinea worm.

"My memories are of a man who was humble, a great intellect, who listened and was able to synthesize different views," Withers said.

Pyle called Carter a Georgia institution who was compassionate, kind, and always tried to do what was right.

"He was the only president who understood that you spend the rest of your life atoning for being president, and it does seem like he really understood that," she said. 

Plans to mourn death of Jimmy Carter

As plans for Carter's memorial service take shape, President Joe Biden has declared Jan. 9 as a national day of mourning.

The president called on Americans to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship to pay homage to Carter's memory.

Public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private burial at the Carters' home in Plains, Georgia.

SEE MORE: Funeral for Jimmy Carter: What happens when a president dies?

Details about the funeral and memorial services are still pending.

How to support the Carter family

The public can share condolences on Jimmy Carter's official tribute website. The site has an online condolence book as well as print and visual biographical materials commemorating his life.

The Carter family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307.