ATLANTA — A day after three former U.S. presidents paid tribute to Zell Miller, a trio of ex-governors presided over an executive state funeral for the Georgia politician at the state Capitol, concluding three days of remembrance.
Miller died Friday at his home in Young Harris at the age of 86.
Gov. Nathan Deal was joined Wednesday by two of his predecessors, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Joe Frank Harris, to bid farewell to the former U.S. senator and two-term governor most known for launching the HOPE Scholarship.
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The official state funeral was the shortest and most formal of the three public memorials.
"Zell Bryan Miller laid the foundation for governor," Perdue said. "I believe for what we stand on today that we stood on to make Georgia the best state in which to do business for the last five years."
The funeral, which featured a large crowd, included many state lawmakers and those who worked in Zell Miller's gubernatorial administration. During the short service, Deal got emotional, holding back tears.
"To the family, let me just say, 'Thank you for being a part of his life, for being a part of the fabric that has made our state great,'" Deal said, holding back tears.
Today we pay our final respects to Zell Miller at his state funeral. His legacy and memory will live on for generations to come. Zell was a friend and a mentor and has left Georgia a better place because of his service. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/6BT0KgJgAu
— Former Gov. Nathan Deal (@GovernorDeal) March 28, 2018
"What do you say about the man who gave Georgia HOPE?" Perdue said "We talk about HOPE as just a program, but about that progression there, Gov. Deal, of moving Georgia forward."
Perdue also told those at the state funeral how Miller's programs helped modernize the state.
After the state funeral, with state patrol troopers as pall bearers, the flag-draped casket was brought down the steps to the waiting hearse. Then, before Miller made his final journey home from the state Capitol, the current and former governors gave a final salute to their friend and predecessor.
Miller's body was taken to a funeral home in Cumming.
State funeral for former Gov. Zell MillerThe final public memorial for former Governor Zell Miller is being held at the state capitol: https://2wsb.tv/2GwUwKq -- LIVE coverage continues on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.
Posted by WSB-TV on Wednesday, March 28, 2018
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