Brad Paisley Pays Tribute to Barbara Bush for ‘Wisdom, Guidance and Love’

Many Americans are mourning the tragic loss of the former First Lady and matriarch of a political family, Barbara Bush.

Mrs. Bush passed away after denying further medical help for failing health issues, leaving behind her husband, George H.W. Bush and their children. Country music showed support for the Bush family, including Brad Paisley, who took to his Instagram to honor the former first lady with a throwback picture of the two along with some kind words about her spirit and grace.

“This nation owes this woman a huge debt for her wisdom, guidance, and love. Rest In peace my friend. What an incredible & inspiring life you lived Barbara Bush. Thank you for your friendship and so many memories. #alifewelllived,” Paisley wrote in the emotional farewell post.

I first met Barbara Bush when she and George invited us to their home in Kennebunkport for lunch in July of 2011. Brad had a show nearby, and so our family piled into the tour bus and drove out to their expansive waterfront property. Within minutes of meeting us, Barbara handed my-four-year old her camera and told him to take some pictures of the day for her. She struck me as sharp, funny, feisty. I liked her immediately. She had no problem gently admonishing my children for stomping in a puddle during a tour of the grounds. She and George shared stories about their children and she talked about her time as First Lady. My last memory of that day was watching Barbara at the edge of her front steps cringing and waving as Brad’s bus driver spent a good ten minutes trying to navigate the giant tour bus out of their narrow driveway without ruining her colorful peonies. I hope we only crushed a couple. The bus didn’t have a window to roll down, so all I could do from the front seat was wave back and shrug and hope she understood my feeble apology. Luckily, we were invited for lunch a few times after that, so that was not the last time I saw the Bushes. When I wrote my book in 2016, I sent Barbara a copy and was amazed that not only did she read it almost immediately, she sent me an extensive hand-written note. I’m grateful to have known such a formidable and classy woman. I’m sending love to her dear husband, President Bush, and the extended Bush family tonight. May she rest in the peace that passes all understanding.

A post shared by Kimberly Williams-Paisley (@kimberlywilliamspaisley) on Apr 17, 2018 at 7:57pm PDT

Mrs. Bush was the First Lady to her husband, George H.W. Bush, who served the country as the 41st president. She also was the mother of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. Her work done during her time in the political establishment encouraged various literacy programs and supported other medical philanthropies, leaving a legacy behind her for years to come.

She also brought so much joy and laughter to the White House, as seen in her past speeches and visits to many organizations. President George W. Bush even mentioned in a statement after her death that she “kept us on our toes and kept us laughing until the end.”

Mrs. Bush died at the age of 92.