Ex-president greets mourners honoring his wife

His daughter standing behind him, former President George H.W. Bush sat at the front of the cavernous sanctuary of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. He gazed up at the rose-draped casket holding his wife of 73 years.

After a few moments, an aide came forward to help Bush with his wheelchair, turning it so he faced the rest of the sanctuary. A string of mourners began to approach: adults and children, many of the women wearing his wife’s favorite color, blue, and trademark pearls. He offered his hand and smiled as people shook it.

Thousands of people came Friday to pay respect to Barbara Bush, wife of the nation’s 41st president and mother of the nation’s 43rd. Among them was Houston social worker Varney Johnson, who like other mourners said he wanted to honor her work supporting literacy. “This woman dedicated her life to educating children,” he said.

Barbara and George Bush were married longer than any other presidential couple when she died Tuesday at their home in Houston. One of just two first ladies to have a child elected president, Barbara Bush was widely admired for her plainspoken style and her advocacy for causes including literacy and AIDS awareness.

A hearse containing the former first lady’s casket arrived before daybreak at St. Martin’s, the nation’s largest Episcopal church. Her body was to be in repose from noon until midnight. A spray of dozens of roses covered the closed light-colored metallic casket.