News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

george-hw-bush-funeral-main_article_image.jpg
PA
World News

Former President George HW Bush lies in repose in his church

by Press Association

Country music's Oak Ridge Boys, among the president's favourites, sang Amazing Grace and Reba McEntire offered The Lord's Prayer as three days of official ceremonies in Washington gave way to more personal touches for the Bush family in Texas.

The night before, more than 11,000 people paid their respects as his casket lay in repose all night at St Martin's Episcopal Church, where his family worshipped.

At Thursday's funeral, Mr Baker said, "The world became a better place because George Bush occupied the White House for four years".

He said that Mr Bush embodied some of the nation's best values, "temperate" in thought, word and deed, "our nation's very best one-term president".

George P Bush, the former president's grandson and the only member of the political dynasty still holding elected office - as Texas land commissioner, subsequently struck a more personal tone with the man he and the younger generations called "gampy".

The services attracted local sports stars including Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt and featured hymns chosen and loved by the former president.

The nation's capital bid him goodbye on Wednesday in a Washington funeral service that offered high praise for the last of the presidents to have fought in World War II - and a hefty dose of humour about a man whose speaking delivery was once described as a cross between Mister Rogers and John Wayne.

Mr Bush's casket returned for the services in Houston, a ride on a special funeral train and eventual burial at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.

His final resting place is alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukaemia aged three.

In the service at Washington National Cathedral, three former presidents and President Donald Trump looked on as George W Bush eulogised his father as "the brightest of a thousand points of light".

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate