Arrangements for the Lying in State and Funeral of The Honorable George Busbee, 
77th Governor of the State of Georgia

July 19-20, 2004
Atlanta, Georgia

   On behalf of the Busbee family, Governor Sonny Perdue announces the following arrangements for the lying in state and funeral of The Honorable George Busbee, 77th Governor of the State of Georgia.

Monday, July 19, 2004

9:00 a.m.

The casket of Governor Busbee is borne in Procession from the funeral home to the State Capitol.

9:15 a.m. 

Invited dignitaries and special guests arrive. Dignitaries should be directed to the Senate Chamber on the third floor of the Capitol.

9:30 a.m. 

The casket of Governor Busbee 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 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.

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

The Honorable George Busbee, former Governor of the State of Georgia, officially lies in state in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. The first hour of the lying in state period is reserved for members of the Busbee family followed by State officials, dignitaries, and special guests. 

10:00 a.m. 

The Family of Governor Busbee privately views the coffin lying in state in the Rotunda. 

10:15 a.m. 

The Governor and Mrs. Perdue lead former Governors and First Ladies in paying their respects to Governor Busbee.

10:20 a.m. 

The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House lead current and former members of the General Assembly of Georgia in paying their respects to Governor Busbee.

10:40 a.m. 

Members of Georgia's Congressional Delegation, Constitutional officers of the State of Georgia, Members of the Judiciary, and other invited dignitaries and guests pay their respects to Governor Busbee.

11:00 a.m.

The general public is permitted to pay their respects at 11:00 am when the Capitol opens to receive mourners. Citizens should enter through the West Door (Washington Street) of the Capitol and pass through security checkpoints. From there 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 Busbee, mourners 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 1:00 pm, although those individuals in the queue will be allowed to pay their respects.

1:30 p.m.

The Honor Guard bears the casket of Governor Busbee out the West Door of the Capitol to the awaiting motorcade. Governor Busbee's casket is followed by an official mourning party of Governor and Mrs. Perdue, State leaders and dignitaries, and Members of the General Assembly.

The motorcade will return to H. M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 

The Busbee family receives mourners during an official visitation period at H. M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, located at 4550 Peachtree Road, Northeast, Atlanta.

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

11:00 a.m.

A public memorial service for Governor George Busbee is held at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, Northeast, Atlanta. The service will be officiated by Rev. James M. King, Senior Pastor, Parkway Baptist Church.

3:00 p.m.

A private funeral service for Governor Busbee will be held at Parkway Baptist Church, 5975 State Bridge Road, Duluth. This service is open only to family members and Parkway Baptist Church members.

The interment service will be private.

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In lieu of flowers, the family of Governor Busbee asks that donations be sent in his memory to:

The University of Georgia Foundation

In support of the George D. Busbee Chair in Public Policy

School of Public and International Affairs

University of Georgia 

Athens, Georgia 30602

Gwinnett Technical Foundation

5150 Sugarloaf Parkway

Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043

770-962-7580