Current and former first ladies gather for funeral

[July 12, 2011]  PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) -- Michelle Obama and three former first ladies are among dignitaries heading to Palm Desert for Betty Ford's funeral.

Details of the Tuesday ceremony were planned by Mrs. Ford who died at 93 on Friday.

She chose former first lady Rosalynn Carter and journalist Cokie Roberts to deliver eulogies along with a former director of the Betty Ford Center.

Also expected are Nancy Reagan and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton attending with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. The former first lady of California, Maria Schriver, also planned to attend.

A second funeral will be held Thursday in Grand Rapids, Mich., where Gerald Ford is buried at his presidential museum.

Speakers are expected to discuss politics, the White House and Mrs. Ford's impact on substance and alcohol abuse treatment.

[Associated Press; By LINDA DEUTSCH AND JEFF WILSON]

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