Barbara Bush honoured as 'the first lady of the greatest generation'
Former President George W Bush accompanied by former first lady Laura Bush follow as pallbearers carry the casket of former first lady Barbara Bush after a funeral service at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. Photo: AP
Barbara Bush was remembered as the “first lady of the Greatest Generation” during a funeral Saturday attended by four former US presidents and hundreds of other people who filled a Houston church with laughter as much as tears, with many recalling her quick wit and devotion to family.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush joked that his mother called her style of raising him and his siblings “‘a benevolent dictatorship’ — but honestly, it wasn’t always benevolent.” She was widely admired for her plainspoken style during her husband George HW Bush’s presidency and was known as “The Enforcer” in her high-powered family.
Pallbearers carry the casket of former first lady Barbara Bush after a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. Photo: AP
He choked up at one point while addressing the roughly 1,500 people seated inside St Martin’s Episcopal Church, where his parents regularly worshipped, when saying his mother — known for her self-deprecating remarks about her wrinkles and white-gray hair — was “beautiful” until the very end.
Former Presidents George HW Bush and George W Bush accompanied by their family members watch as pallbearers carry the casket of former first lady Barbara Bush after a funeral service Bush at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. Photo: AP
Presidential historian Jon Meacham, who wrote a 2015 biography on the former president, recalled during his eulogy Barbara Bush’s devotion to her husband of 73 years, noting he was the “only boy she ever kissed.” Theirs was the longest marriage of any presidential couple.
Accompanied by his wife, Hillary Clinton,left, former President Bill Clinton arrives at St Martin’s Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. Photo: AP
“Barbara Bush was the first lady of the Greatest Generation,” Meacham said, a nod to the generation that fought in World War II.
The couple’s family, including their five children, 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, played prominent roles in the service. Granddaughters offered readings, some of their voices shaky with emotion, while their eight grandsons were pallbearers.
The Bush family was seated in front of the church. Nearby, two other former presidents — Bill Clinton and Barack Obama — along with their wives and current first lady Melania Trump were seated in the same pew.
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama greet first lady Melania Trump at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. Photo AP
Jenna Bush, left, wipes away tears as granddauters gather to speak during a funeral service for former first lady Barbara Bush at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Houston. Photo: AP
They stopped along the way to shake hands as mourners sang “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” which Barbara Bush had requested as the final song. She died on Tuesday , with her husband by her side, at their home in Houston. She was 92.
Barbara Bush was buried Saturday afternoon at her husband’s presidential library at Texas A&M University in College Station, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) northwest of Houston. The burial site is in a gated plot surrounded by trees and near a creek where the couple’s 3-year-old daughter Robin is buried. She died of leukemia in 1953.
Leah Martin and and her daughter Jenny Mulvey wait for the motorcade carrying former first lady Barbara Bush Saturday, April 21, 2018, in College Station, Texas. Photo: AP
Hundreds of people lined both sides of the street near the campus as the funeral procession passed on a gray, cloudy day. Flags were flown at half-staff.
Other guests at the invitation-only funeral included former Rep. Gabby Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, and professional golfer Phil Mickelson, along with Karl Rove and other former White House staff members.
Melania Trump said in a statement it was an honor to give her respects to a “fearless” first lady, adding: “Today the world paid tribute to a woman of indisputable character and grace.” President Donald Trump didn’t attend to avoid security disruptions, according to the White House, but he released a statement saying his thoughts were with the family.
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, also didn’t attend because he was traveling overseas and she was recovering from surgery, according to the Carter Center.
On Friday, more than 6,200 people visited the Houston church during a public viewing. Many of the women wore the former first lady’s favorite color, blue, and her trademark pearl necklaces.
George HW Bush was so moved by how many people lined up Friday to pay their final respects to his wife that he decided to go . From his wheelchair, he spent about 15 minutes shaking hands with people who had come.
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