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Clinton, Bill

President Clinton Returns to Arkansas for Mother's Funeral

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Clinton returned to his hometown of Hope in Arkansas, where a subdued atmosphere greeted him as he made arrangements for his mother's funeral. Virginia Kelley, the president's 70-year-old mother, passed away in her sleep early Thursday morning at the age of 70, just months after revealing to friends that she had a recurrence of breast cancer. The president was scheduled to continue with plans for his first trip to Europe, but put his European itinerary on hold to attend to his mother's passing.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Clinton's mother, Virginia Kelley, passed away in her sleep at the age of 70 after a recurrence of breast cancer.
  • Kelley underwent breast cancer surgery in 1990 and had been living a vibrant life according to White House spokeswoman Dee Dee Myers.
  • A funeral service for Kelley was scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hot Springs Convention Auditorium.
  • A public viewing was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Gross Funeral Home in Hot Springs.
  • President Clinton was greeted in Hot Springs by Mayor Melinda Baran and Beverly Lindsey, wife of White House senior adviser Bruce Lindsey.
  • The president's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and daughter, Chelsea, were scheduled to arrive Friday.
  • Kelley was to be buried at 1 p.m. Saturday at Rose Hill cemetery in the president's hometown of Hope.
  • President Clinton is expected to put his European trip on hold to attend to his mother's funeral.

Statistics:

  • 70: The age of President Clinton's mother, Virginia Kelley, at the time of her passing.
  • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: The scheduled time for the public viewing of Kelley's body at the Gross Funeral Home in Hot Springs.
  • 9 a.m. Saturday: The scheduled time for Kelley's funeral service at the Hot Springs Convention Auditorium.
  • 1 p.m. Saturday: The scheduled time for Kelley's burial at Rose Hill cemetery in Hope, Arkansas.
  • 1990: The year Kelley underwent breast cancer surgery.
  • 70: The age Kelley was at the time of her death, just months after revealing a recurrence of breast cancer.

Sources:

  • "A subdued President Clinton was greeted by family and friends Thursday on his arrival in Arkansas to make arrangements for his mother's funeral." (Source: Uncredited/Associated Press)
  • "A funeral service for Virginia Kelley was scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hot Springs Convention Auditorium, White House aides said." (Source: Uncredited/Associated Press)
  • "Greeting Clinton in Hot Springs were Mayor Melinda Baran and Beverly Lindsey, wife of White House senior adviser Bruce Lindsey." (Source: Uncredited/Associated Press)
  • "The president's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and daughter, Chelsea, were scheduled to arrive Friday, sources said." (Source: Uncredited/Associated Press)

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