The Smiling Peanut, created in 1976 as part of Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, is seen in Plains on Monday, December 30, 2024, a day after former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100.
Goodbye Mr. Jimmy
Photos by Arvin Temkar
I was sent by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in February 2023 to Plains, a town of about 550 people, after the announcement that former President Jimmy Carter would be spending his remaining days in hospice in his hometown. Carter, known as “Mr. Jimmy” to the residents, lived until Dec. 29, 2024, reaching his 100th birthday. I returned to Plains after his death to document the ceremonies in his honor, including his final funeral at Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school.
A black ribbon hangs over a portrait of former President Jimmy Carter at Plains High School in Plains on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, two days after Carter died at the age of 100.
James “Soapy” Herndon cuts the hair of his customer Michael Harper in Americus on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Soapy was longtime barber to Jimmy Carter.
Bud Fuller and his son Cyrus, 9, share a moment at Maranatha Baptist Church during a vigil for former President Jimmy Carter in Plains on Monday, December 30, 2024.
A view of downtown Plains on Monday, February 20, 2023, following the announcement that former President Jimmy Carter would enter hospice.
Mourners watch the motorcade for former President Jimmy Carter pass through Plains on Saturday, January 4, 2025, following his death earlier this week. The procession will then head to Atlanta where Carter will lie repose at the Carter Center.
A visitor takes a picture of a bust of Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter in Plains on Friday, January 3, 2025.
An old photo featuring Jimmy Carter at Soapy’s Barber Shop in Americus on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Mugsy Reynolds becomes emotional during a vigil in honor of former President Jimmy Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains on Saturday, January 4, 2025, after a motorcade including a hearse carrying Carter’s casket went through town.
Braxton, 11, and Margaret Harrell, eight months, look at a tribute to former President Jimmy Carter in downtown Plains on Friday, January 3, 2025
Guests wait to watch the motorcade arrive at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains on Thursday, January 9, 2025, before former President Jimmy Carter’s final funeral service.
The hearse for President Jimmy Carter drives to Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains on Thursday, January 9, 2025 for Carter’s final funeral service.
Family members of former President Jimmy Carter walk into Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Military members walk former President Jimmy Carter’s casket out of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains on Thursday, January 9, 2025.