How the Public Can Honor Rosalynn Carter in South Georgia, Atlanta

Motorcade Departure and Wreath-Laying Ceremonies in Americus
Public Repose at Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta
Lay Flowers at Presidential Center Sign and Plains Monument
Motorcade and Final Farewell in Plains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA (Nov. 22, 2023) — The public is invited to honor and celebrate First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s life and accomplishments at events Monday, Nov. 27, through Wednesday, Nov. 29, in Sumter County and Atlanta. Exact times are subject to change and the public should plan to be in place at least an hour in advance. Parking will be limited, and road closures are expected.

A brief wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Monday, Nov. 27, around 11 a.m. in front of Building 1 of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) in Americus. GSW President Neal Weaver and Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers CEO Jennifer Olsen will place two wreaths at Mrs. Carter’s bronze statue. The public must be in the designated viewing area in front of the Education Center up to an hour in advance if they wish to see the ceremony. Parking will be available, but limited, in the GSW Education Center, Library, Storm Dome, and softball/baseball field lots. Road closures are expected. More details can be found on the GSW tribute website.

In Atlanta, Mrs. Carter’s body will lie in repose from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.

No public parking is available at the presidential center. Visitors should use shuttle buses. Buses will depart from the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church parking lot (436 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308) every 15 minutes from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and return to St. Luke’s. Because parking space at St. Luke’s is limited, the public is urged to carpool or use MARTA rail; MARTA’s Civic Center Station is one block west of St. Luke’s.

Shuttle bus passengers will be dropped off on northbound Freedom Parkway close to the museum. This is also where visitors who arrive on foot will enter.

Visitors are subject to search upon entry into the Carter Presidential Center. Prohibited items must be surrendered and will not be returned. Backpacks, bags, purses, clutches, and camera bags are prohibited on the bus. Diaper bags are allowed and will be searched by hand. The following items are prohibited: aerosols; ammunition; animals other than service animals; bicycles; balloons; coolers; drones and other unmanned aircraft systems; explosives; firearms; glass; thermal or metal containers; laser pointers; Mace or pepper spray; packages; selfie sticks; toy guns; weapons of any kind; any other items determined to be potential safety hazards.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Carter requested that donations be made to the Carter Center Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. In Atlanta, those who wish to give flowers may lay them in front of the large granite-and-steel sign at the main entrance to the Carter Presidential Center. In Plains, flowers may be left near the Jimmy Carter Monument downtown.

Condolence books will be available to sign at GSW, the Plains Welcome Center, Plains High School and in Atlanta at the Carter Presidential Center.

Mourners may line motorcade routes during each movement. The official times and routes will be announced closer to the times of the movements. The motorcade viewing opportunities include:
Leaving Phoebe Sumter Medical Center en route to Georgia Southwest University on the morning of Monday, Nov. 27.
Leaving GSW en route to The Carter Presidential Center on Monday, Nov.27, midmorning.
Leaving The Carter President Center en route to Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory University campus on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Leaving Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Leaving a private ceremony at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains en route to a family-only interment at the Carter residence around midday on Wednesday, Nov. 29. This will be the final opportunity for the people of Plains and visitors to say farewell to Mrs. Carter.

The memorial services at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on Tuesday and the funeral service at Maranatha Baptist Church on Wednesday are both private ceremonies and not open to the public. All ceremonies will be available for live viewing on television; please consult local listings.

More information about Mrs. Carter and the funeral ceremonies is available at www.rosalynncartertribute.org, which also includes videos, photos, a biography of her life, and an online condolence book. It also includes links to make donations in her honor to The Carter Center and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.