HOUSTON, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Texas Governor Gregg Abbott issued a statement Tuesday night on the passing of former U.S. first lady Barbara Bush, praising her contributions to the country's education in particular.

"Barbara Bush dedicated her life to helping others. As only the second woman in history to be both the wife and the mother of U.S. presidents, Barbara had a unique and profound impact on our country," read the statement.

"Spearheading the fight against illiteracy, she created the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, working to improve the lives of those less fortunate through education," the statement continued.

Barbara Bush died Tuesday at the age of 92, days after she decided to give up treatment for her illnesses.

General public wishing to pay respect to Mrs. Bush can do so on Friday as she lay in repose at St. Martin's Church in Houston, a few blocks from the home she and George H. W. Bush built after he was defeated for re-election in 1992.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at the same church. Then a motorcade will carry her body to the George Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, on the campus of Texas A&M University. There, she will be laid to rest near the grave of a daughter, Robin.

Barbara Bush served as the first lady during her husband George H. W. Bush's presidency between 1989 and 1993. She is also the mother of former President George W. Bush, who served between 2001 and 2009.