Arrangements for the Lying-in-State and Funeral of the Honorable Ernest Vandiver, 73rd Governor of the State of Georgia
| Tuesday, February 22, 2005 |
Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774
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ATLANTA – On behalf of the Vandiver family, Governor Sonny Perdue announces the following arrangements for the lying-in-state and funeral of The Honorable Ernest Vandiver, 73rd Governor of the state of Georgia.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The casket of Governor Vandiver is borne in procession from Hamby Funeral Home in Lavonia, Georgia to the State Capitol.
10:45 a.m.
Invited dignitaries and special guests assemble on the west lawn (Washington St reet side) of the Capitol for the arrival ceremony.
11:00 a.m.
The casket of Governor Vandiver is received at the West Door of the State Capitol by the Honorable Sonny Perdue, Governor of the State of Georgia, other state officials, and an honor guard of the Georgia National Guard and the Georgia State Patrol. The honor guard bears the casket through the West Door and into the Rotunda of the State Capitol. The casket is placed on the catafalque. Upon arrival in the Rotunda, a brief memorial service will take place.
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Honorable Governor Vandiver, former Governor of the State of Georgia, officially lies-in- state in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. Standing vigil over the casket will be units of the Georgia Army National Guard, Georgia Air National Guard and Georgia State Patrol.
The general public is permitted to pay their respects when the Capitol opens to receive mourners. Citizens should enter through the West Door (Washington Street) of the Capitol and pass through security checkpoints. People should process along the queue toward the Rotunda. Condolence books will be positioned at various points; guests are invited to sign one of the books.
Upon paying their respects to Governor Vandiver, mourners may exit through the opposite side of the Rotunda and then exit the Capitol via the North (MLK), East (Capitol Avenue), or South (Mitchell) Doors.
The receiving line closes at 2:00 p.m., although those individuals in the queue will be allowed to pay their respects.
2:00 p.m.
The Honor Guard bears the casket of Governor Vandiver out the West Door of the Capitol to the awaiting motorcade.
The motorcade will return to Hamby Funeral Home in Lavonia, 355 Bear Creek Road.
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
The Vandiver family receives mourners during an official visitation period at the Hamby Funeral Home.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
11:00 a.m.
The funeral service for Governor Ernest Vandiver will be held at Lavonia First Baptist Church, 5681 Vickery St., Lavonia. The service will be officiated by Dr. Larry Finger (Pastor) and Reverend Richard Bilski (Retired Pastor).
The interment service will held at Lavonia City-Burgess Cemetery following the funeral service.
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In lieu of flowers, the family of Governor Vandiver asks that donations be sent in his memory to:
Lavonia First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 47
Lavonia, GA 30553
Lavonia Carnegie Library
28 Hartwell Road
Lavonia, GA 30553
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The second floor of the State Capitol will close at 5 p.m. today, Tuesday, February 22 in order to prepare the Rotunda for the lying-in-state. The second floor will remain closed for all visitors, except for mourners, until 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, February 23. The first, third, and fourth floors will remain open for business.
The House of Representatives and the State Senate will convene tomorrow as previously scheduled but will recess in memory of Governor Vandiver at approximately 10:30 a.m. The members will participate in the arrival ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The House and Senate will reconvene at approximately 2:15 p.m.