Houston — Barbara Pierce Bush was remembered Saturday as a loyal and devoted wife, stern but affectionate mother, good-humored friend and authentic first lady at a funeral attended by four former presidents including her husband and son.
Along with the past presidents, heads of state and historians and people from all walks of life crowded into St. Martin's Episcopal Church to honor the memory of the former first lady who touched hearts across the nation with her no-nonsense humor and passion to help others.
Mrs. Bush chose son Jeb, longtime friend Susan Baker and historian Jon Meacham to deliver her eulogies at the invitation-only funeral service.
"Barbara Bush filled our lives with laughter and joy, and in the case of her family, she was our teacher, our role model on how to live of life with purpose and meaning," Jeb Bush said.
He asked his mom about dying in her final days.
“She said, Jeb, I believe in Jesus and he is my savior. I don’t want to leave your dad, but I know I’ll be in a beautiful place.’”
The former governor of Florida also brought laughter with stories of his mother and father. The latter was often the target of his wife's quick wit.
"Our family has had a front row seat to the most amazing love story," Jeb Bush said.
He quoted a 1994 love letter his father, former president George H.W. Bush, wrote on their wedding anniversary.
"Will you marry me? Oops, I forgot, you did that 49 years ago today!" the elder Bush wrote. “I have climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that can not hold a candle to being Barbara’s husband.”
Baker, wife of former Secretary of State Jim Baker, spoke of her close friend's devotion to her family.
"When we saw her and George together with their five children, with their 17 grandchildren, and seven great-grands, we knew they represented the very best," Baker said.
"She was smart, strong and sometimes feisty. The world saw that and like we did, they admired and loved her for it, "Baker said. "Barbara's motivation to help others was never about herself but to give love and support to those in need."
Baker said her friend was pen pals with people she never met, including a young girl who named her heifer Barbara. The girl later showed the cow at Houston Livestock Show. It finished in 8th place.
"'I was sorry for my little friend but slightly relieved,'" Barbara said later," according to Baker. "'I'm not sure I could have stood the headlines Barbara Bush wins Houston Fat Stock show.'"
The crowd roared with laughter.
There were also many touching moments, including the reading from Proverbs by several granddaughters.
Former president Barack Obama and wife Michelle, former president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary and first lady Melania Trump were among those attending.
President Trump, following custom, is not attending the funeral but posted a photo of Mrs. Bush's official portrait in the White House in remembrance.
Former President Carter was the only living president who did not attend because he was traveling overseas.
The crowd also included familiar faces like Mattress Mack, actor Chuck Norris and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Scott Kelly.
The current first lady, knowing of Mrs. Bush's devotion to the staff during her four years living at the White House, brought as guests two career staffers from the White House residence former head maitre d' George Hainey, and usher Buddy Carter.
Some women wore blue outfits and pearls, homages to Barbara Bush’s favorite color and signature look.
Security was extremely tight at the funeral with guests screened at Second Baptist Church before boarding shuttle buses to St. Martin's.
Secret Service agents joined clusters of Houston Police officers and state troopers patrolling the perimeter.
As the occasional helicopter circled overhead, camouflage-clad troops peered through binoculars from the rooftops of nearby buildings and police motorcycles drove through the streets outside the church, silent but with lights blazing.
Following the service, the hearse and family motorcade drove through Memorial Park, a special place for the Bushes.
The motorcade is carrying Mrs. Bush’s body 90 miles northwest to the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station. She will be buried near her daughter Robin in a peaceful area surrounded by nature.
Barbara Bush died at her Houston home Tuesday at age 92.
On Friday, about 2,500 people attended the public viewing of Barbara Bush’s casket. They arrived early at Second Baptist Church and were shuttled to St. Martin’s after security sweeps. Attendees got a surprise visit from George H.W. Bush, who decided last minute to greet visitors.
"It was entirely the president’s idea to go there," Jim McGrath, the president's spokesman, told The Associated Press.
Many of the women at Friday's viewing wore blue blouses or pearl necklaces in honor of Barbara Bush.
One of those pearl-wearing visitors, Carolyn Bischoff, drove 36 miles from the Houston suburb of Dickinson to attend. Bischoff said she admired Barbara Bush’s tough persona, wit and dedication to fighting illiteracy. But her lasting memory of the former first lady is at Houston Astros games, her feet perched up on the seat in front of her, scoring the game on a scorecard, she said.
“The pearls I’m wearing today are for her,” Bischoff said. “But I do wish I’d worn them with my World Series Astros T-shirt. I think she would’ve gotten a good laugh and given me a thumbs up for that, too.”
The Bushes moved 29 times during their marriage but settled in Houston in 1959, according to the National First Ladies’ Library. It was here that George H.W. Bush began his career in politics, getting elected to Republican Party chairman of Harris County in 1962.
Throughout their six decades in Houston, the couple became integral members of the community, attending theaters and Astros games, becoming active in charity events, and, through her namesake foundation, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, helping thousands of Houston-area kids to learn to read.
Among those in attendance on Saturday were Fawaz "Fuzzy" Hajjar, a Syrian national and owner of Fuzzy's Pizza & Cafe, and his wife, Rita Hajjar. The Bushes were regulars at Fuzzy's for more than 25 years and became close friends with the Hajjars, inviting them to birthday parties and sharing dinners.
"It's unfortunate to lose such a woman," Rita Hajjar said. "People truly loved her."