The son of the former US president and current governor of Texas, Mr George Bush, declined last night to postpone the execution. He made a statement to reporters as Tucker was on her way to the chamber where she was to be put to death.
"When I was sworn in as the governor of Texas, I took an oath to uphold the laws of our state, including the death penalty. My responsibility is to make sure our laws are enforced fairly and evenly without preference or special treatment.
"Many people have contacted my office about this execution. I respect the strong convictions which have prompted some to call for mercy and others to emphasise accountability and consequences. Like many touched by this case, I have sought guidance through prayer.
"I have concluded judgments about the heart and soul of an individual on Death Row are best left to a higher authority.
"Karla Faye Tucker has acknowledged she is guilty of a horrible crime. She was convicted and sentenced by a jury of her peers. The role of the state is to enforce our laws and to make sure all individuals are treated fairly under those laws. The state must make sure each individual sentenced to death has opportunity for access to the courts and a thorough legal review.
"The courts, including the United States Supreme Court, have reviewed the legal issues in this case, and therefore, I will not grant a 30-day delay.
"May God Bless Karla Faye Tucker and may God bless her victims and their families."
A spokesman for the Texas Department of Justice, Mr David Nunnelee, said early today. "Karla Faye Tucker has been executed by lethal injection for the crime of capital murder.
"In her last statement she expressed her love for her family; she told her husband that she loved him; she thanked her attorney." He said Tucker said "that she was sorry for what occurred and asked for his forgiveness" and "ended her statement simply by saying 'I love you all'.
"About 20 seconds into the execution she coughed twice, let out a slight groan and then she was silent."
One of the witnesses to the execution said there was a kind of groaned as the air came out of her lungs. "She moved her lips as if in prayer."
According to Mr Vicente Arenas, of the Houston television station KTRK, her final words were: "I will come face to face with Jesus."
Tucker said in a final interview broadcast yesterday afternoon on the Christian Broadcasting Network that she would be thinking about God and her family as she was strapped to the cross-shaped gurney in the death chamber.
"I am going to be thinking about certainly what it's like in heaven. I am going to be thinking about my family and my friends and the pain. I am going to be thankful for all the love.
"There should always be a place for mercy. Life is precious, and if we believe life is precious in abortion, or in mercy killing, shouldn't we believe life is precious in the death penalty?