George Bush speaking at King funeral

Thousands are celebrating the life of civil rights activist Coretta Scott King at her funeral, with President Bush and three former U.S. presidents attending.

Mrs. King was the widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Junior, and carried on his work after his assassination in 1968. She died last week after battling ovarian cancer and the effects of a stroke. She was 78 years old.

President Bush said Mrs. King not only secured her husband's legacy, she also built

Jimmy Carter

her own. He said others could cause her sorrow, but could not make her bitter.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, the current president's father, are also attending the service, held near Atlanta, Georgia, in a large church where Mrs. King's youngest daughter, Bernice, is a minister. At least 10,000 people are estimated to be in attendance.

President Bush has ordered flags over all U.S. government buildings to fly at half-staff in honor of Mrs. King.