Former first lady Rosalynn Carter's motorcade began its final journey on Monday morning, traveling from her hometown of Plains, Georgia, to Atlanta, where she will lie in repose for the public to pay their respects. Rosalynn Carter passed away peacefully at her home in Plains on November 19 at the age of 96, after the Carter Center announced she was entering hospice care. Known for her advocacy of mental health reform and destigmatizing mental illness, Rosalynn Carter dedicated her life to humanitarian efforts alongside her husband, former US President Jimmy Carter. The couple had been living in Plains since leaving the White House in 1981.

The motorcade, set to leave downtown Plains at 10 a.m., made a short stop at a medical center where former members of Rosalynn Carter's U.S. Secret Service Protection detail served as honorary pallbearers during a departure ceremony. The motorcade then continued to Georgia Southwestern State University, where Rosalynn Carter's alma mater is located. A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the university, which houses the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. The institute, founded by Rosalynn Carter in 1987, supports and advocates for millions of unpaid caregivers in the United States.

Following the stop at the university, the motorcade proceeded to Atlanta. A repose service was held in the afternoon at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, allowing members of the public to pay their respects. A tribute service is scheduled for Tuesday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory University campus. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the second gentleman are among the invited guests.

The former first lady's burial will be held on Wednesday in Plains at Maranatha Baptist Church, the couple's beloved church. The funeral service will be private for family and invited friends. The schedule reflects the various aspects of Rosalynn Carter's life and impact, including her advocacy for mental health treatment, caregiving, and her role as a trusted adviser to President Jimmy Carter.

Throughout the memorials, motorcade routes have been open for the public to view the procession. The Carter Center has provided opportunities for people to share their memories and make donations to the Carter Center Mental Health Program or the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in lieu of flowers. The former first lady's legacy as a compassionate humanitarian and advocate for mental health will be remembered and celebrated by people around the world.