Reba McEntire’s Soul-Stirring Farewell to George H.W. Bush Left a Nation in Tears — and His Son, George W., Visibly Moved. With a Voice Full of Grace and Heart, the Country Music Queen Paid Tribute to a President Loved by Cowboys and Congress Alike, Following a Powerful Performance of ‘Amazing Grace’ by The Oak Ridge Boys. This Wasn’t Just a Funeral — It Was a Final Encore for a Life That Touched Millions.
Reba McEntire brought George W. Bush to tears when she sang at his father’s Houston funeral on Thursday just moments after fellow country music stars The Oak Ridge Boys also performed for their friend.
McEntire sang ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ during the service at the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where the late George H.W. Bush and his family worshiped for decades.
The younger Bush could be seen wiping away tears during her performance.
Moments earlier, The Oak Ridge Boys performed an acappella version of ‘Amazing Grace’.
Reba McEntire sang ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ during the service at the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where the late George H.W. Bush and his family worshiped for decades
McEntire’s rendition brought George W. Bush to tears when she sang at his father’s Houston funeral on Thursday
The Oak Ridge Boys performed an acappella version of ‘Amazing Grace’ during the service
They recalled meeting Bush at the White House when he was vice president in the 80s.
‘Would you sing me a few songs, I’m a big fan,’ they said of their interaction.
‘For decades we sang for him’ before adding that they would sing again for him at the service.
The band also joked that their friend, the 41st president, had fancied himself to be a good bass singer – but clarified that ‘he was not’.
The response drew laughter from mourners, including his son’s George W. and Jeb Bush who were seated in the front row.
Bush was a noted fan of country music and had developed a close friendship with both McEntire and The Oak Ridge Boys over the years.
Country music star Reba McEntire arrived at George H.W. Bush’s funeral in Houston on Thursday to perform ‘The Lord’s Prayer’
The Oak Ridge Boys performed’Amazing Grace’. Members of the band were pictured entering St. Martin’s Episcopal Church ahead of Bush’s funeral
Reba shared this photo on Instagram after the funeral, saying they got to perform at their ‘dear friend’s celebration of life’
Following his death last Friday, McEntire shared a number of photos of them together throughout the years with the hashtags #greatpresident #greatfriend.
Meanwhile, Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys said Bush had personally requested that the group sing ‘Amazing Grace’ at his funeral.
Allen told The Tennessean newspaper the band did an impromptu performance for Bush at the White House when he was vice president.
It sparked a decades-long friendship between them.
Allen said the band was honored to keep its promise to Bush to perform at his funeral.
Bush was a noted fan of country music and had developed a close friendship with McEntire over the years. She posted this photo of her with the 41st president as a tribute after he died
Reba enjoyed a long friendship with the former president and his wife Barbara. They are pictured above at his 90th birthday celebrations
The Oak Ridge Boys, who performed ‘Amazing Grace’ on Thursday, became friends with Bush when he was vice president in the 1980s
The band posted a photo on Instagram en route to Houston on Thursday, saying: ‘Boys on a plane… Houston bound. #Honored to sing #AmazingGrace later today for #GeorgeHWBush’
About 1,200 mourners were expected to attend the Houston funeral service on Thursday morning.
Among the high profiles names to arrive at the church include Chuck Norris, Arnold Schwarzenegger and singer Crystal Gayle.
Former basketball star Yao Ming and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt were among a handful of sports figures to attend.
Baseball Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Jeff Bagwell were also seen arriving.
Bush was a fan of his hometown teams. He joined his son, former President George W. Bush, on the field before Game 5 of the 2017 World Series in Houston.
The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard into St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston on Thursday
About 1,200 invited guests at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church included members of the 41st president’s family and a number of high profile guests
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger attended the funeral with girlfriend Heather Milligan
Texas forever: Actor Chuck Norris arrives with other guests for the funeral of President George H.W. Bush
Towering above: Former NBA basketball player Yao Ming arrives for the funeral service
