Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush gave an emotional tribute to his mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, during her funeral Saturday afternoon surrounded by family and friends in Houston, Texas.
Honoring the Bush family matriarch as a “role model” and “teacher” for the family, the former 2016 Republican presidential candidate reflected on the highlights of his mother’s life.
“Now, to be clear, her students weren’t perfect. That’s an understatement,” Bush said talking about his siblings, their children, and his own children. “Mom got us through our difficult times with consistent, take it to the bank, unconditional, but tough love.”
Though his address was largely personal, Bush did fill the room with laughter with one political joke.
“Even in her 90’s, mother could strike fear into her grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and children if someone didn’t behave. There were no microaggressions allowed with Barbara Pierce Bush,” he quipped.
The second Bush son credited some of his mother’s public accomplishments such as her work with HIV patients, campaigning with her husband, and her overall style as the reason why “people loved her so.”
“Finally, the last time I was with her, I asked her about dying. Was she ready to go? Was she sad?” he shared. “Without missing a beat, she said, ‘Jeb, I believe in Jesus and my savior, I don’t want to leave your dad, but I know he’ll be in a beautiful place.’”
.@JebBush: “There were no safe spaces or microaggressions allowed with Barbara Pierce Bush.” https://t.co/K0uzjBlb4g pic.twitter.com/4AmsrvPcxv
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 21, 2018
Former first lady Barbara Bush, 92, was laid to rest Saturday after dying Tuesday after a year-long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.
Beyond the Bush family, the funeral Saturday was also attended by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and their respective wives, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first lady Michelle Obama. The current first lady, Melania Trump, sat next to Obama at the event. She filled in for President Trump, who tweeted that he would watch the funeral from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.
