The local Democratic party organized the event to commemorate the 39th president’s life and legacy. A former pastor and state senate candidate, Lee Dotson, attended the remembrance. He ran for office in South Georgia and met President Carter several times, witnessing Carter’s campaign strategy up close.

Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said she is hopeful the next generation will learn from Carter’s example.

Today’s lawmakers hailed the 39th president, but their predecessors made his four years in office a constant battle and derailed many Carter initiatives.

Only three family members spoke during the funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, but many more attended the services and are expected in Plains. Ga.

Madeleine Blais was a staff writer for the Trenton Times in 1976 when she was assigned to cover the Democratic Convention in New York City where Jimmy Carter claimed his party's nomination. The four days were mostly a snore -- but she created a time capsule of the week that she treasures to this day.

In symbolism and substance, President Carter displayed an obsessive attention to energy. He famously installed solar panels on the roof of the White House, but more consequentially, he created the Department of Energy, and allocated what remains a record amount of funding into energy research and development.

Jimmy Carter was in office from 1977 until 1981, but it was his life outside the White House that has continued to speak volumes

Who was Jimmy Carter's vice president? Walter Mondale, a former U.S. senator from Minnesota, served as Carter's vice president from 1977 to 1981. Mondale was also the Democratic Party's nominee during the 1984 presidential election but lost to ...

The Georgia Democrat, who served as president from 1977-81, will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Rosalynn, outside their home in Plains.

President Jimmy Carter shakes hands with the crowd after delivering an address at Wait Chapel concerning the Soviet threat, March 17, 1978. To the right of Carter is Fifth District Congressman Steve Neal. More than 50 years after filling out his ballot, Jimmy Walker freely admits it.

Jimmy Carter was considered a long-shot presidential candidate in the 1976 Democratic primary, but his shrewd campaign strategy won him the nomination.

Exclusive: They were friends before either was a figure in national politics. Joe Biden tells USA TODAY about his last meeting with Jimmy Carter.