Clayton — Just hours before the Democratic contenders for president appeared in Raleigh for their party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, former president Jimmy Carter came to Wal-Mart in Clayton to sign copies of his latest book, "A Remarkable Mother."

A line of hundreds weaved through the store, starting at Carter’s post in the layaway department and ending along a row of candies and greeting cards. Those who arrived the earliest were pleasantly surprised when Carter bumped up his noontime appointment by almost an hour, affording more people a chance to greet the former president.

Among the early risers was Ronnie Trimyer of Suffolk, Va. Trimyer said he left home about 4:30 a.m. and arrived in Clayton two hours later to become first in line at the book-signing. He carried two copies of Carter’s book — one for his son, an attorney, and one for himself.

“He was the first president I voted for when I turned 18,” Trimyer said of Carter, who won election in 1976. “I feel like I know him for all the works he’s done over the years. It’s really neat to get to see him in person.”

Trimyer wasn’t the only one excited to see Carter. Those directly behind him in line, such as Terri Trammell and Darla Albaugh, both of the Cleveland community, said Carter’s appearance was a treat for them too.

Trammell had previously met Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. She said she decided to stop in for Carter’s book-signing in part because she wanted a way to remind herself of his place in history.

“He’s done so many things,” she said. “But there seems to be a lot of history, including his role in it, that just isn’t brought up as much nowadays. I was shocked when I heard a little girl in the store ask her mom who was Jimmy Carter. I thought, I want to be able to tell my kids who Carter is.”

Albaugh said she planned to surprise her relatives with copies of the book, which chronicles the life and works of Lillian Carter, who died in 1983. In addition to her children and their teachers, Albaugh said she planned to give a copy to her grandmother in Maryland, who attended school with Carter and made an appearance at his inaugural ball.

“Plus, when he’s down in Georgia, my family always goes to hear him preach,” Albaugh said.

While most who attended the book-signing last week carried their own memories of Carter and his impact on the nation, at least a few folks waiting in line weren’t even born until Carter left office. But their youth didn’t stop 18-year-old Jessica MacConnell of Cary and her siblings -- Tyler, 15, and Hunter, 12 -- from taking advantage of a teacher workday to make a few memories of their own.

“We’ve been learning about his presidency and his leadership,” said Jessica, a student at Cary High School.

“He seems cool,” added Tyler. “And besides, this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”