Sharon Bush Says She Wasn’t Invited to George H.W. Bush’s Funeral: Report

Video: Bob Dole helped from wheelchair to salute Bush's casket

Sharon Bush, the former wife of Neil Bush—the son of the late former President George H.W. Bush—said she was not invited to his funeral.

Sharon told the New York Post that she wanted to attend the event and sit with their three children, Lauren, Pierce, and Ashley, but Neil’s secretary informed her that it wasn’t possible, saying there were not enough pews in the Washington National Cathedral.

“I was going to take the train down. I wanted to pay my respects,” Sharon told the Page Six. “But I paid my respects by raising three wonderful children during a 23-year marriage.”

Sharon said she instead had lunch with the mother of Lady Gaga, Cynthia Germanotta, during the funeral.

Lauren, who is married to Ralph Lauren’s son David, has provided 100 million via her Feed Bag initiative. Pierce is the head of the Big Brothers Big Sisters in Texas, and Ashley tutors women in safe houses, the Post noted.

“I taught them everything they know about ‘points of light’ by taking them to soup kitchens and homeless shelters from the time they were 4 years old. I didn’t want them spoiled,” Sharon told the paper. “I did this. Neil was never around. He was always traveling.”

Neil Bush—a businessman who has extensive business ties in China, according to the Washington Post, including with the son of former Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin—has not commented on the matter. “I probably have access to people who wouldn’t meet with a development-stage company,” Bush said in 2002 about meeting Arab princes and his private dinner with the former Chinese head of state.

41st President’s Casket Arrives in Texas

Last week, the 41st president’s casket arrived in Houston, Texas, and was buried on the family’s plot of land in College Station next to his wife and daughter.

But before that, about 1,200 people arrived at the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston to honor the former president, who died Nov. 30 at age 94. McEntire was a singer that the former president “came to love,” and she was joined by The Oak Ridge Boys and later performed “Amazing Grace.”

CBS News reported that former President George W. Bush was apparently brought to tears during McEntire’s rendition.

Former President George W. Bush makes his way to touch President George H. W. Bush's casket at a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Dec. 5, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

“It was an honor and privilege to sing at President George H.W. Bush’s funeral this morning. He was a great friend and leader and I will never forget the time we shared together,” said McEntire following the performance.

The Oak Ridge Boys also issued a statement. “An emotional service celebrating the life of #GeorgeHWBush today. We were honored to sing Amazing Grace one more time for him,” the group said via on Instagram. “And @Reba’s performance of The Lord’s Prayer was wonderful. RIP our dear friend. We will see you and Barbara in the Place He has prepared for us.”

“Everyone in the country music business was so honored when President and Mrs. Bush joined us at the @cma awards. #greatpresident #greatfriend,” she also wrote on Dec. 1.