Former presidents, fellow first ladies and about 1,800 other people attended a private funeral Saturday for Lady Bird Johnson, celebrating her memory against a backdrop of the wildflowers and hymns that she loved.
Two huge, multicolored floral displays, posted at the front of the Riverbend Centre sanctuary, included wildflowers and blooms from the gardens of friends of the former first lady, an environmentalist devoted to preserving wildflowers and native plants. Behind the pulpit, a large window looked out onto the Texas Hill Country.
"These are people who throughout the 94 years have had some sort of relationship with Mrs. Johnson and or the family," Johnson family spokesperson Neal Spelce said.
Several family members spoke, as well as TV host Bill Moyers, a former press secretary for the late President Lyndon B. Johnson.
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Saying goodbye
Thousands of people attended a private funeral Saturday for Lady Bird Johnson.
 
Friends and family
News 8 Austin's Reagan Hackleman talks about the notable people at the funeral service.
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“I can't recall a time when as many representatives of the first families of this nation have gathered in one place to pay respects to one person outside of any memorials for the president of the United States," Spelce said.
Those attending included first lady Laura Bush; former first lady Barbara Bush; former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton; former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn Carter; former first lady Nancy Reagan; Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy and Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his wife, Anita.
The crowd of over two thousand was as diverse as a field of wildflowers. NBC nightly news anchor Brian Williams and former CBS anchorman Dan Rather were also there. Both local and national media outlets attended, and more than 30,000 credentials were handed out. Outside, law enforcement kept a careful eye on the service.
All said one last public goodbye to Lady Bird Johnson.
Mrs. Johnson will be buried at the Johnson family cemetery on the banks of Pedernales on Sunday afternoon, where Texas and the nation will say a final goodbye.
Condolence books available for public
Those who want to sign a condolence book for Lady Bird Johnson can find them in several locations:
Dignitaries, friends react to Lady Bird's death
There was an outpouring of love, sympathy and admiration from those who knew her.
President Bush said he and his wife, Laura, mourn the passing of someone he calls "our good friend, and a warm and gracious woman."
Bush said Mrs. Johnson shared her love of the environment and nature with the entire country. The president said the native wildflowers that bloom along roadsides are part of Mrs. Johnson's lasting legacy.
Bush also said Mrs. Johnson joined her husband in the struggle for civil rights, inspiring millions of Americans, and her commitment to early education gave many children a head start in life.
Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy said Mrs. Johnson was a wonderful First Lady and one of the kindest and most caring and compassionate people he's ever met in politics. He said Mrs. Johnson was a great friend to the Kennedy family, in both good times and bad.
The senator is the brother of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson then assumed the presidency, with Lady Bird at his side.
Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, call Mrs. Johnson a "beloved First Lady and an American treasure."
The Clintons said Mrs. Johnson was a strong woman who inspired her two daughters and other young women to develop and speak their minds. They were honored to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the White House with Mrs. Johnson.
Former President George H.W. Bush said he and his wife, Barbara, loved Mrs. Johnson. Bush said Mrs. Johnson made the world beautiful in so many ways, and was beautiful to everyone who knew and loved her.
Gov. Rick Perry has ordered flags flown at half-staff in memory. He said Mrs. Johnson "embodied all that is beautiful and good about the great state of Texas."
Former first lady Nancy Reagan said she's "deeply saddened" to hear of her passing, and she represented the country with honor and dignity, plus had a great love and respect for nature.
Former first lady Betty Ford also expressed sadness. She said Mrs. Johnson was a dedicated and devoted First Lady whose beautification programs benefited the entire nation.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison said she and Lady Bird's daughter, Lynda, were at the University of Texas together. Hutchison said Mrs. Johnson was one of our most beloved first ladies in our history, who showed such class and graciousness.
