The program for services honoring former U.S. first lady Barbara Bush, the wife of the 41st president, George H.W. Bush, as she lies in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church on April 20, 2018. (Photo by Richard Carson - Pool/Getty Images)
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Family, dignitaries and invited guests attending the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush today at 11:00am Saturday at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston will experience an Easter Liturgy that celebrates her singular life of service and devotion to her family and countless friends.
The Bush family led by former President George H. W. Bush, former President and Mrs. George W. Bush, former President and Mrs. Bill Clinton, former President and Mrs. Barack Obama, and First Lady Melania Trump – along with a 1500 guests – will gather to pay respects to the much beloved matriarch known for her wit, candor and relentless advocacy for family literacy.
Following the funeral service, the Bush family will proceed by motorcade to the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas for a brief, private interment ceremony.
The following is a rundown of the day:
10:00 AM VIP Reception hosted by President George W. Bush.
Guests: 105 People
- First Lady Melania Trump
- President and Mrs. Clinton
- President and Mrs. Obama
- President Bush 41
- President and Mrs. George W. Bush
- Doro and Bobby Koch
- Governor Jeb Bush and Columba Bush
- Maria and Neil Bush
- Margaret and Margaret Bush
- Secretary Jim Baker and Susan Baker
- Keith and Jon Meacham
- Peter and Kiki Cheney
- Chelsea Clinton
- Susan Ford Bales
- Lynda Johnson Robb and Senator Chuck Robb
- Luci Baines Johnson and Ian Turpin
- Tricia Nixon Cox and Edward Cox
- Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg
- Grandchildren and their spouses
VIPs (alphabetic order):
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott
- Mrs. Cecilia Abbott
- Senator Lamar Alexander (Education Secretary in 41 administration)
- Secretary James Baker
- Mrs. Susan Baker **Eulogist**
- The Honorable Nick Brady (Treasury Secretary in 41 administration)
- The Honorable Andy Card
- Reverend Kathleene Card
- Vice President Dick Cheney (Defense Secretary in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Lynne Cheney
- Senator Susan Collins
- Former Michigan Governor John Engler
- Mrs. Michelle Engler
- Secretary Barbara Franklin (Commerce Secretary in 41 administration)
- Secretary Bob Gates (CIA Director in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Becky Gates
- Ambassador Boyden Gray (WH Counsel for 41 as VP and POTUS)
- Former British Minister Sir John Major
- Dame Norma Major
- Former Maine Governor Jock McKernan
- Senator Olympia Snowe
- Fmr Canadian Prime Minister The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
- Mrs. Mila Mulroney
- Ohio Senator Rob Portman (WH Staffer in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Jane Portman
- Vice President Dan Quayle
- Mrs. Marylin Quayle
- Dr. Condoleeza Rice (NSC Staffer in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Ann Romney
- General Brent Scowcroft
- Senator Alan Simpson
- Mrs. Ann Simpson
- Secretary Sam Skinner (Transportation Secretary in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Honey Skinner
- The Honorable Louis Sullivan (HHS Secretary in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Ginger Sullivan
- Fmr New Hampshire Governor John Sununu (WH Chief of Staff)
- Fmr Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
- Mrs. Sue Ann Thompson
- Judge Bill Webster (CIA Director in 41 administration)
- Mrs. Lynda Webster
- Texas Congressman Roger Williams
10:30 AM Mrs. Bush’s brother Scott Pierce and his wife Jan, Jonathan and Jody Bush, Kent and Kristen Pierce arrive St. Martin’s west porte cochere.
10:40 AM Grandson pallbearers gather in St. Martin’s Narthex.
- George P. Bush
- Jeb Bush, Jr.
- Pierce Bush
- Pace Andrews
- Alexander Andrews
- Walker Bush
- Sam LeBlond
- Robert Koch
10:45 AM Prayer led by Russ Levenson in Bagby Parish Hall for First Families:
- President Bush 41
- President and Mrs. Bush 43
- Doro and Bobby Koch
- Governor Jeb Bush and Columba Bush
- Maria and Neil Bush
- Margaret and Margaret Bush
- Grandchildren and their spouses [24 people]
- First Lady Melania Trump
- President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
- President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton
- Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney
- Vice President Dan Quayle and Marilyn Quayle
Bush granddaughters and grandchildren’s spouses are escorted to their seats:
- Lizzie Andrews
- Barbara Bush
- Noelle Bush
- Ashley Bush
- Jenna Bush Hager
- Gigi Koch
- Marshall Bush Rossi
- Ellie Sosa
Spouses:
- Mandi Bush
- Sandra Bush
- Sarahbeth Bush
- Henry Hager
- Lee LeBlond
- Julian LeFevre
- Nick Rossi
- Nick Sosa
10:55 AM Everyone seated.
Anthem.
Hymn.
Reception of the Body.
11:00 AM Funeral Service for Former First Lady Barbara Bush
GUESTS: 1,500 People
12:30 PM The remains will be carried from the church by the grandsons.
12:40 PM Motorcade departs St. Martins Church en route College Station.
Motorcade route when departing St. Martin’s: The motorcade proceeds east on
Memorial Drive through Memorial Park. Just east of the park at Westcott, turns
left and then merges onto I-10. The route through the park will be publicized, so
Houstonians may pay their respects.
Motorcade route when entering College Station: The motorcade remains on Texas Avenue to George Bush Drive. Motorcade turns left onto George Bush Drive, and then right onto Barbara Bush Drive. This route will be publicized so that the A&M/College Station community may pay their respects.
2:45 PM Arrive George Bush Presidential Library Center, College Station, TX.
Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets will line the motorcade route on Barbara Bush Drive approaching The George Bush Presidential Library Complex.
Mrs. Bush’s casket will be removed by military support. Family gathers behind casket.
The procession will proceed in the following order to the gravesite:
Clergy
Remains
Immediate Family Only
3:00 PM Interment.
Once the procession has passed over the bridge and is approaching the pavilion, The Singing Cadets, prepositioned at gravesite, will begin singing.
The procession continues through the woods to the gravesite.
Once the casket is placed on the bier, The Singing Cadets will conclude their musical selection.
They will then quietly depart.
A private interment service will be conducted by The Reverend Dr. Russell Levenson and
The Reverend Peter Cheney.
3:10 PM Interment will be complete.