With her signature white hair and pearl necklaces and earrings, Barbara Bush had many connections to Florida.
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker showed News Channel 8 a picture, taken at a literacy program. It shows Baker, Jeb and Mrs. Bush.
While not close to Mrs. Bush, he is friends with her son, Jeb.
“He just absolutely loved his mother. He just was devoted to her,” said Baker.
Jeb Bush issued a statement, saying: “I’m exceptionally privileged to be the son of George Bush and the exceptionally gracious, gregarious, fun, funny, loving, tough, smart, graceful woman who was the force of nature known as Barbara Bush.”
Baker remembers a funny moment at Bush’s inauguration for governor.
He watched as Barbara Bush used a cheap disposable camera to capture the moment.
“She’s leaning over. Here’s the first lady of the United States leaning over taking pictures of her son,” said Baker.
He remembers Jeb’s mother as woman not afraid to let people know how she feels.
In our divided country, Baker believes Barbara Bush stood out.
“Isn’t it amazing that as divided as a country as we are, you’re not gonna find anybody saying anything bad about Barbara Bush,” said Baker.
Her legacy will certainly live on.
“What you saw on TV I really think is what you got,” he said.
