. >>> former first lady betty ford and roselyn carter became friends and partners after leaving the white house, as did their husbands. last summer, ms. carter traveled to california and delivered a eulogy for betty ford following her death in july. sitting in the front row was michelle obama, nancy reagan and former president george w. bush. >> betty ford was my friend and i'm honored to be here today to help celebrate the life of this truly remarkable woman. i never imagined when we first met 40 years ago that we would develop such a close personal friendship. at that time betty was the wife of the vice president of the united states. she had danced with the dance company and performed in carnegie hall. she was the leader in the fight for women's rights and she had come to georgia request the michigan art train, taking cars filled with art to rural communities across the country. jimmy was the governor and we invited her to stay at the governor's mansion. i was nervous. she was so warm and friendly when she arrived that she immediately put me at ease and we had a good time together. of