Residents of Plains, Georgia, are lined up to say their final goodbye to Plains native Jimmy Carter.

The former president grew up in the rural community in the 1920s in a home that didn’t have running water or electricity. After the White House, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter returned to Plains, where they were staple fixtures in the small town for decades.

Jimmy Carter died in Plains on Dec. 29.

The family is holding a private service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains Thursday afternoon.

The plane carrying former President Jimmy Carter’s casket has taken off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, marking the last time the 39th president leaves the Washington, D.C., area.

Carter is returning to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his family will hold a private service and burial.

Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket was carried out of Washington National Cathedral to the strains of "Hail to the Chief" at the conclusion of the service.

Next, the hearse will drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The casket will be placed on a plane to return to Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private service.

The 39th president, who died on Dec. 29 at age 100, will be buried in Plains next to his beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who died on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96.

"I don't mean this with any disrespect, but, it's still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia,” said former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, prompting a big laugh from the crowd in the cathedral.

Young, 92, was appointed to be U.N. Ambassador by Carter and was the first Black person to hold the position.

Young recalled how Carter grew up in a mostly Black county and had many Black friends. He said Carter asked that his roommate at the Naval Academy be the first Black midshipmen in hopes that he could help him adjust.

Carter "went out of his way to embrace those of us who had grown up in all kinds of conflict," Young said. "But that was the sensitivity, the spirituality that made James Earl Carter a truly great president."

"He never wavered from his commitment to God almighty and his love of all of God’s children," Young said. "Jimmy Carter was a blessing that helped to create a great United Staes of America. And for all of us, and many who are not able to be here, I want to say, thank you. You have been a blessing from God and your spirit will remain with us."