Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president who struggled with a bad economy and a hostage crisis but went on to a long and admired post-White House career, will be honored at a state funeral in Washington on Thursday.

Georgia politicians, leaders and activists are voicing their admiration for the life and legacy of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Sunday at the age of 100.

One local couple was among a group of Carter’s Florida campaign veterans who paid their respects while his body lay in state in Atlanta.