George HW Bush wears ‘book socks’ to Barbara Bush’s funeral to honor her passion for literacy

Former President George H.W. Bush wore what he reportedly calls “book socks” to his late wife’s funeral on Saturday to honor her passion for family literacy.

Bush joined hundreds of mourners, including former Presidents Obama and Clinton, at a Houston church to celebrate the life of Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, who died earlier this week at the age of 92.

“To honor his wife of 73 years and her commitment to family literacy, for which she raised over $110 million over the course of over 30 years, [George H.W. Bush] will be wearing a pair of socks festooned with books at today’s funeral service for former First Lady Barbara Bush,” family spokesman Jim McGrath said.

The socks worn by the 41st President of the United States of America at today’s funeral for former First Lady Barbara Bush. pic.twitter.com/12libHt1Jv

— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) April 21, 2018

{mosads}Barbara Bush’s special cause as first lady was the promotion of literacy, calling it the “most important issue we have.” She founded the nonprofit Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. 

Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama were also in attendance at the funeral on Saturday, as was current first lady Melania Trump. President Trump did not attend, saying that he did not want to disrupt the service due to extra security.

Trump tweeted Saturday that he planned to watch the funeral from the “Southern White House,” his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.