Jimmy Carter ‘s long public goodbye began Saturday in south Georgia where the 39th U.S. president’s life began more than 100 years ago.

Former President Jimmy Carter may have only served one term as governor, but he left his mark in many ways before leaving for Washington, even literally. With a pencil, Carter signed the desk in the governor’s ceremonial office,

The first events reflect Carter’s climb up the political ladder, from the tiny town of Plains, Georgia, to decades on the global stage.

Six days of funeral observances for former President Jimmy Carter began Saturday in Georgia, where he died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. The first events reflected Carter’s climb up the political ladder,