Former President Jimmy Carter lies in repose at Carter Center with fast lines | Visitor information

ATLANTA - Mourners continued to flock to the Carter Center on Sunday to pay tribute to former president, and native Georgian, Jimmy Carter. The 39th president of the United States died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.

Four members and three generations of the Wolf family came together to pay their respects.

Bonnie Wolf said they used to live almost next door to the Carter Center when it was being built.

"When they were in Atlanta, they were neighbors," Wolf said.

She and her son, Whitney, used to live almost next door to the Carter Center and watched its construction.

She says they would often see the Carter family at Manuel’s Tavern around the corner from the Carter Center. She says it was well-known for being one of Jimmy's favorite spots.

Whitney Wolf even remembered joking with Carter there.

"I joked with him one time when I saw him wearing a big ‘JC’ belt buckle at Manuel’s and I said, ‘what's the JC stand for?’ and he says ‘my name.’ And I kind of laughed and said ‘I thought it was for Jesus Christ.’ And he said ‘that’s a good one.’ That was the kind of guy he was. He was just a humble guy and funny," Wolf said.

Wolf is a woodworker by trade and says his father even took woodworking classes with Carter.

"I respect the fact that a guy who's in the highest office in the world took the time to take woodworking classes and to craft furniture for his home. I just think that's awesome," Wolf said.

So, he didn’t mind waiting in line with his mother and kids to come pay their respects to their former neighbor.

"I feel like even if it was a one-hour or a two-hour wait, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Wolf said. 

Luckily for them, it wasn’t even close to that long.

The line looked very short Sunday evening.

Everyone who spoke to FOX 5 said they only had to wait about 20 minutes to get through the line.

"But the line moved quickly. So, I do encourage people to come," Bonnie Wolf said.

The short line meant Whitney’s sons, brothers Jack and Siler Wolf, enjoyed the experience as well.

They especially liked the soldiers guarding the former president’s casket.

"We also saw guards there, like standing perfectly still," said Jack Wolf.

"They were just like statues," his brother Siler added.

Their three generations all had the chance to take part in this historical moment together.

Sandra Dee Clarke was grateful for the convenient MARTA shuttle that allowed her to pay her respects to a president she prayed for the entire time he was in office. 

"When I heard him speak and the conviction that he spoke with, a sincere, profound, deliberation to bring about change, I said ‘that’s the man, I can support him,’" Clarke said.

Former President Jimmy Carter will lie here in repose under ceremonial guard 24 hours a day until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, so you can come at any time on Monday, day or night.

Before you go, here are a few reminders:

• Parking: There is no parking at The Carter Center. While you may find some parking in the nearby neighborhood, this is not guaranteed. There also is not a designated rideshare spot near the center. It is best to use the shuttles MARTA is providing from the King Memorial station.
• Bicycle parking: If you decide to ride your bike, there are racks available. However, The Carter Center takes no responsibility for damaged or stolen bikes (bring a lock).
• MARTA Shuttle: There is no parking at the King Memorial MARTA station. You will need to park at another station and ride MARTA to King Memorial. The MARTA ride requires payment, but the shuttle to The Carter Center is free.Click here to find MARTA stations with parking.
• Shuttle Frequency: Shuttles run every 3 to 5 minutes around the clock. Visitors can arrive at any time, whether it's 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 11 p.m., or 3 a.m. The shuttles are free.
• Prohibited Items: Do not bring any backpacks, bags, purses, umbrellas (even if it is raining) or prohibited items. Prohibited items include lighters, explosives, firearms, glass, thermal or metal containers, laser pointers, mace, weapons, toy guns, selfie sticks, and more. The Secret Service will require you to surrender prohibited items or leave. Be prepared to empty your pockets and undergo a thorough inspection, including wanding.
• Lines and Weather: Be prepared to stand in line for a while and dress warmly. The screening area is covered by a large tent, but there are no heaters for the public (but there are plenty of porta-potties). The Carter Center says it expects about 2,000 people per hour to visit. The line moves fairly quickly, and multiple volunteers are stationed outside and inside to assist visitors. Click here for today's weather forecast.
• No photography or video: No photography or video is allowed inside The Carter Center. This is strictly enforced.
• Don't forget to stop and sign the guest book outside the center and pick up a remembrance card.

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, Jan. 7:

• At 9:30 a.m., Carter will depart The Carter Center. He and his family will travel to Dobbins Air Reserve Base and board Special Air Mission 39, scheduled to depart at 10:40 a.m.
• Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., Carter will be carried by the military to the Rotunda, where members of Congress will pay their respects during a service at 3 p.m.
• He will then lie in state, with the public allowed to visit from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Wednesday, Jan. 8:

• Carter will continue to lie in state, with a military guard of honor present. The public may pay their respects from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Jan. 9.

Thursday, Jan. 9:

• Carter will depart the U.S. Capitol at 9 a.m. and travel by motorcade to Washington National Cathedral for a brief arrival ceremony at 9:30 a.m., followed by the National Funeral Service at 10 a.m.
• Following the service, Carter and his family will return to Joint Base Andrews and board Special Air Mission 39 at 11:45 a.m.
• Special Air Mission 39 will arrive at Lawson Army Airfield in Fort Moore, Georgia, at 2 p.m. Carter and his family will then travel by motorcade to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains for a private funeral service at 3:45 p.m.

After the service, the motorcade will take Carter and his family to his home for private interment next to his wife at 5:30 p.m.

The public is invited to line the motorcade route through Plains after the funeral to pay their respects.

Prior to Carter's interment, the U.S. Navy will conduct a missing man formation flyover in honor of his naval service and time as commander-in-chief.

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President Biden has declared Jan. 9 a National Day of Mourning as a "mark of respect" for the former president. Most federal government executive departments and agencies will be closed, except for those essential to national security, defense, or other critical needs.

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