WASHINGTON – In a poignant moment for the nation, former President Jimmy Carter has made his final journey to Washington, D.C., where he is lying in state at the U.S. Capitol ahead of his National Funeral Service on Thursday. Despite the freezing temperatures and snow, mourners from across the country have flocked to the capital to pay their respects.

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Among those braving the elements was Jill Welch from Brookhaven in Georgia, who expressed her gratitude for making it to the Capitol despite the weather challenges. Having volunteered at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Welch felt it was important to see the former president’s casket in D.C. before attending his burial in Plains.

“President and Mrs. Carter meant a lot to me,” Welch shared. “They’ve changed this world.”

PHOTOS: Former President Jimmy Carter’s final journey | 1924-2024

Patrice Earnest from Smyrna also traveled to the nation’s capital, choosing to honor Carter on a national stage rather than at the Carter Center. She emphasized the significance of witnessing the respect and impact Carter had on a national level, sharing a personal connection through her family’s invitation to his inauguration nearly 50 years ago.

“I knew that it would mean a lot for me, our family, just to be here,” Earnest said.

As thousands continue to arrive at the Capitol, the shared sentiment among the visitors is a desire to honor the legacy of a globetrotting humanitarian who left a lasting mark on the world.

“Just a time to reflect on all the good works that he and Mrs. Carter did,” Welch said.

The Capitol is expected to see a steady stream of visitors until Thursday morning, as the nation bids farewell to a beloved former president.

Jimmy Carter funeral plans, schedule of events

D.C. officials are urging people experiencing homelessness to go to shelters amid this week’s dangerously cold temperatures.

Tent encampments covered with snow could be spotted throughout the city after Monday’s snow storm.

About 1,400 people stayed in the city’s shelters Tuesday night, officials said.

“You kind of, like, make the best of it, and you do what you have to do to survive,” said Eban Nimblett, who has been experiencing homelessness for more than three years. “Me and other people in our situation, we try to comfort up and just stay whole.”

Nimblett, who spoke to News4 at one of D.C.’s day centers, described what it’s like living on the streets when it’s dangerously cold outside.

“Treacherous, treacherous. It’s like you wandering. You might end up at Union Station or riding the buses or the subway or just kind of wander out, just looking for a place to actually, you know, to huddle up and keep warm,” Nimblett said.

D.C. officials say the city has enough space in its shelters, but convincing people to take advantage of them is often difficult.

“It’s very important that people understand how dangerous hypothermia can be,” Rachel Pierre, an administrator for the D.C. Family Services Administration, told News4.

“For people who won’t come out in the cold, we have outreach, checking on them, distributing warming items, hand warmers, socks, dry shoes, blankets, as many blankets as they want, as many blankets as they need, as many sometimes tarps, if that’s their request,” Pierre said.

She said the city continues to check on those that refuse to come to a shelter in case they change their minds.

The day center where News4 met Nimblett is blocks away from the White House and offers meals, hot showers and medical services.

“Once I learned about this place, I kind of fell in love with the people here, and they got to know me and they have the doctor here, they have laundry, a place to take a shower, they feed. You can sit in, watch TV, keep warm,” he said.

If you see someone you think might need help you can call the shelter hotline at (202) 399-7093 or dial 311. D.C.’s hypothermia vans operate 24 hours a day.

For more information on the city’s cold weather resources, including shelter locations, go here.

WASHINGTON – The body of President Jimmy Carter will arrive in Washington, D.C. Tuesday as the nation prepares for the official state funeral for the former Commander-in-Chief.

Carter passed away at his Georgia home on Sunday, Dec. 29. Carter died at the age of 100 after spending almost two years in at-home hospice care. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.

The former president has been lying in repose at the Carter Center in Atlanta since Saturday. It was the first event in a six-day series leading up to his national funeral service on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024, at the Washington National Cathedral.

When does Carter arrive in D.C.?

Former President Carter lands in D.C. around 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

His remains were transported on Special Air Mission 39, which will arrive at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and then will be transferred with ceremony to a hearse.

The family and President Carter’s remains will then travel by motorcade to the U.S. Navy Memorial and his hearse will be placed in a horse-drawn caisson for a procession to the U.S. Capitol. 

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, a service will be held for members of Congress to pay their respects in the Rotunda. 

Carter will then lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda until 9 a.m. Thursday.

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from Monday, January 6, 2025 at approximately 7:00 p.m. through Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at approximately 4:30 a.m.:

• 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 12th Street from E Street to Independence Avenue, SW
• 11th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 10th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 9th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 8th Street from E Street to D Street, NW
• 7th Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 6th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 5th Street from E Street to D Street, NW
• 4th Street from D Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 3rd Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• Northbound 3rd Street Tunnel Exit 9 toward US Capitol
• 2nd Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 1st Street from E Street, NW to Maryland Avenue, SW
• New Jersey Avenue from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Louisiana Avenue from Columbus Circle, NE to Constitution Avenue, NW
• Delaware Avenue from Columbus Circle to Constitution Avenue, NE
• North Capitol Street from E Street to D Street, NW
• 1st Street from Columbus Circle, NE to Independence Avenue, SE
• D Street from 9th Street NW to 2nd Street, NE
• Indiana Avenue from 7th Street to 3rd Street, NW
• C Street from 6th Street to New Jersey Avenue, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 1st Street, NW
• Constitution Avenue from 14th Street NW to 2nd Street, NE
• Madison Drive from 14th Street to 3rd Street, NW
• Jefferson Drive from 14th Street to 3rd Street, SW
• Maryland Avenue from Independence Avenue to 1st Street, SW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

• Independence Avenue from Washington Avenue, SW to 2nd Street, SE

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

• 8th Street from F Street to E Street, NW
• F Street from 9th Street to 7th Street, NW
• E Street 10th Street to 6th Street, NW

The following street will be closed intermediately to vehicle traffic on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from approximately 4:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

• Calvert Street from 29th Street to Connecticut Avenue, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

• Garfield Street from Massachusetts Avenue, NW to 34th Street, NW
• 34th Street from Woodley Road to Garfield Street, NW
• Woodley Road from Wisconsin Avenue to 34th Street, NW
• Wisconsin Avenue from Lowell Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• Cathedral Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue, NW

The following streets will be open for local traffic only on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

• Garfield Street from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
• Woodland Drive from Garfield Street to 32nd Street, NW
• 33rd Place from Cathedral Avenue to Garfield Street, NW
• Cleveland Avenue from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
• Cathedral Avenue from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
• Klingle Road from 34th Street to 32nd Street, NW
• Woodley Road from 33th Street to 32nd Street, NW
• 34th Street from Macomb Street to Woodley Road, NW
• 35th Street from Lowell Street to Woodley Road, NW
• 36th Street from Lowell Street to Woodley Road, NW
• Wisconsin Avenue from Macomb Street, NW to Lowell Street, NW
• Woodley Road from 38th Street to Wisconsin Avenue, NW
• 36th Street from Garfield Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• 35th Street from Garfield Street to Fulton Street, NW
• 34th Place from Garfield Street to Fulton Street, NW
• 34th Street from Garfield Street to Fulton Street, NW

The following street closures are subject to change based on unexpected conditions.

What happens at a state funeral?

According to the White House Historical Association, official state funerals for presidents traditionally last five days in length and are meticulously choreographed. 

The services are traditionally coordinated by the Army’s Military District of Washington and planning often begins early in each presidential term, the association says. 

The president, former presidents and a president-elect are all entitled to a state funeral, but the family decides if they actually get one or just how involved it will be.

The guidelines for state funerals date back to the mid-1800s and have been shaped over time. Seating arrangements, for example, are detailed with precision, with the presidential party followed by chiefs of state, arranged alphabetically by the English spelling of their countries.

The last official state funeral was for George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. Bush was laid to rest in December 2018. He was the fourth former president to have a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.

After three days of funeral events in Washington, Bush was headed home to Texas for his burial. Similarly, Carter will be sent back to his hometown of Plains, Georgia for burial following his services in D.C.

More on the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter

James Earl Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, on October 1, 1924, into a family of peanut farmers.

There, in the peanut capital of the world, the Carter family’s Baptist roots ran deep. Jimmy, as he liked to be called, was fond of the family business. But he grew to love the life of public service even more.

In his early years, Carter attended Georgia Southwestern College, Georgia Tech and the U.S. Naval Academy. He went on to serve overseas.

He married Rosalynn Smith, and they had three sons and a daughter.

In 1962, amid the growing civil-rights movement, Carter was elected to the Georgia Senate. From there, it was on to a gubernatorial campaign in 1966. That attempt failed. But in 1971, Jimmy Carter became Georgia’s 76th governor. From there, his political career flourished.

In 1974, then-Gov. Carter announced his run for president. He won the Democratic Party nomination at the 1976 convention on the first ballot.

On Nov. 2, 1976, Jimmy Carter, campaigning as a Washington outsider, defeated Republican incumbent Gerald Ford and won the White House.

President Carter served one term, from 1977 to 1981. There were some monumental highs during his time in office, such as the brokering of the Camp David accord between Egypt and Israel.

But his years in office were also beset by the energy crisis, inflation, high interest rates and the infamous “444 days” of the American hostage crisis in Iran.

After losing his bid for re-election, President Carter continued to champion human rights throughout the world.

He founded The Carter Center in Atlanta to promote global health, democracy and human rights.

After his presidency, Carter also became a strong advocate of Habitat for Humanity, solidifying his legacy as one of the country’s most productive former presidents.

Over the years, he wrote more than two dozen books and continued efforts to promote worldwide peace by monitoring international elections and establishing various relief efforts.