Mr David Clarke, on 9th April, aged 65. He was saved in 1982 at meetings in Newtownards conducted by Mr David Kane and Mr Bill Halliday, and was later baptised and received into fellowship at Ebenezer Gospel Hall, James Street. David was consistent in attendance and active in tract distribution. Increasing ill-health marked his final twelve years, but his primary concern was for the welfare of others. He will be greatly missed by his wife Gwen, who faithfully cared for him, and by all the saints. Pray also for his daughters Gail, Liz, and Esther, and his sister Rita.
Mrs Margaret Gracey, on 16th April, aged 73, after a prolonged illness. She was saved in August, 1948 at meetings conducted by Mr Kells, and was received into Kingsbridge assembly. During her early life she was associated with Edenderry, Glenburn, and Martray but most of her Christian life was in happy fellowship in Dromore assembly. A sister greatly beloved because of her godly deportment and pleasant disposition, she was faithful to the assembly and given to hospitality. Her large funeral was conducted by W J Nesbitt and Jack Lennox, helped by local brethren. She is mourned by all who knew her worth and especially by her husband and two sons, one of whom is not saved. Prayer requested for all.
Mrs Sarah Grant, called home on 15th January, in her 92nd year. Saved as a young girl of thirteen, she was baptised at sixteen in Hebron Hall, Bo’ness, and received into fellowship in the Gospel Hall, Blackburn. The family moved to Uphall and she was in fellowship there for a short time. After her marriage to the late Ted Grant in 1938, she was received into fellowship in Livingston Station (now Deans) where she continued faithfully until her homecall. Although latterly unable to be at the gatherings due to ill health, her mind was clear to the end, and she maintained an interest in the assembly and the saints. Please remember her remaining daughter Betty and family in prayer.
Miss Annie (Nan) Hagan, on 7th April, aged 90. Our sister was saved as a girl of ten, was later baptised and received into fellowship in Kingsmoss Gospel Hall, and was associated with that assembly all her life. She had an interest in seeing souls saved and, with her late brother Norman, was given to hospitality. For many years, visiting servants of the Lord enjoyed the comforts of their home. In recent years, she resided in Faith House, Belfast, and had not enjoyed good health for some time before the Lord called her home. The funeral service was conducted by R Pickering, M Wishart, R Lewis, and S McGowan. Prayer is requested for the large family circle.
Mr James David (Jim) Hamilton, called home on Lord’s Day, 27th March, after a short illness. He was saved as a boy of twelve years of age whilst attending Moneymore Sunday School. After moving to Ballyclare he was baptised and remained in fellowship there for over sixty years. He was one of a number of young men at that time who commenced a weekly children’s meeting and also an open air gospel work. In his employment he was highly respected by his colleagues and is going to be missed in the assembly. When he prayed at the Breaking of Bread meeting he did so with dignity, elevating the company in their worship. Prayer would be valued for his wife Joyce and the family circle. The funeral services were taken, at Jim’s request, by brethren Thomas Kennedy, Stafford Logan, and Philip Harper.
Mrs Agnes Jordan, on 24th April, aged 82, after a period of illness. Saved in 1936 at meetings in Cregagh Street conducted by Mr Frank Knox, she was later received into that assembly, but for most of her life was in the Aughavey assembly. A fine Christian lady whose godly deportment and gracious disposition endeared her to the saints. Her generosity to the Lord’s work is recorded in heaven’s annals. Her representative funeral was conducted by Brian Glendinning and Jack Lennox. Prayer is requested for her only brother, not saved, and for the family circle.
Mrs Agnes (Ada) Law was called home on 28th April, aged 82. She was saved at the age of fifteen while attending gospel meetings in Ballymena in 1937. For a number of years our beloved sister was, with her husband, a faithful member of the Harryville assembly in Ballymena, and was very consistent in her attendance at all the assembly gatherings until ill health prevented her. She suffered much during the last three weeks of her life which were spent in the Intensive Care Unit in Hospital. She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband and lifelong partner of just over sixty years, two sons, and two daughters, her daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, one brother and his wife, for all of whom prayer would be valued. The funeral services were shared by D Gilliland and A Caulfield.
Mr Abraham Patterson, called home on 4th May after some months’ illness. He will be much missed, as he was faithful elder in the Dungannon assembly. He came to Dungannon about sixty years ago from Drumenagh, to manage a shoe shop. Two years later he went to Ballymena, but then purchased the shoe business of the late Samuel Abernethy in Dungannon in the 1950’s and settled there permanently. He was predeceased by his wife in 1990. He certainly was a great lover of the glorious gospel which he supported and enjoyed. The funeral service in the hall was ably taken by brethren Samuel Ferguson, George McKinley, and Sammy Maze. At the graveside, David Gilliland, Samuel McBride, and John Rogers took part. Mr Patterson’s son-in-law Clifford Law chaired.
Mrs Effie Prentice (née Campbell), called home on 1st October, aged 94. Saved at the age of nine, she became a member of Summerfield Hall in Glasgow, before leaving with her husband John and son Lennox for East Kilbride where they were in fellowship in Threshold assembly for fifty years. Their last four years were spent happily in the Auchlochan Retirement Home, Lesmahagow. Effie will be sadly missed by John, Lennox, and the wider family, and also by the many missionaries with whom she corresponded regularly over many years.
Mr John Rae, on 25th April, aged 76. Saved in 1948 when his brother Robert preached for the first time, he was baptised and received into fellowship at the Back Brae Gospel Hall, Greengairs where he spent most of his life. He was a faithful brother who served the Lord in children’s work, ministering the Word, preaching the gospel, tract distribution, and open air work. His contributions and leadership will be greatly missed in the small assembly. The large company at the funeral showed how well he was respected. Please pray for his wife Janet and the family.
Mrs Rodgers, on 8th April, aged 91. She was saved in the early fifties, and has been in Ballywatermoy assembly since 1965. A quiet, godly woman, kind and helpful, her testimony in the area was very good. Her large funeral was from the Funeral Home in Ballymena, when many gathered and heard words of comfort and gospel. Messrs R Love, J G Hutchinson and B Carson took part. Prayer would be valued for her family connection.
Mr William Storrie, on 28th February, aged 78. Saved in 1936, he was thereafter received into fellowship at Dalmellington. He married Nan in 1954, moving to Cumnock after eight years where as a couple they were active in the assembly giving generous hospitality to the Lord’s people and serving as hall keepers, and where, for several years, Willie led the Bible Class. A house move in 1989 led to fellowship at Woodpark, Ayr, and again Willie’s practical help and faithful attendance were greatly appreciated. Most of his working life was spent with the Coal Board when, often under trying circumstances, he maintained a consistent testimony. The large number at his funeral reflected the high esteem in which he was held. Prayer is requested for Nan and the family.
Mrs Hester Louisa (Hessie) Taylor, aged 85, passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on 30th April. She was saved as a young girl of 18 while attending meetings conducted by Mr John Rinnegan, John 6.37 bringing peace to her troubled soul. She was baptised and received into Mullafernaghan assembly shortly after her conversion. A godly sister, a woman of faith and prayer, she demonstrated graciousness, gentleness, and goodness, loving the assembly, and was a consistent supporter of the gospel. Her very large funeral was a token of the respect in which she was held. The services were shared by Albert Gill, Jim Wishart, and John Rogers.
Mr Maxwell S Thompson, on 12th May, after a long illness, in his 90th year. He was saved in Comber in 1939 when D Craig had fruitful meetings, and was for some time in Frances Street assembly. He later spent many years in Limavady, where he was the town clerk. On retirement he came to Dundonald where he was most useful in many aspects of the work of the assembly. A quiet steady man, kind and helpful, he was given to hospitality and had a care for the sick and elderly folk. His large funeral was from Dundonald Gospel Hall. J G Hutchinson and J Scott were responsible for the services assisted by local brethren. Prayer valued for his widow and family.
Mr Fred Wethers was born on 4th May, 1910, was saved by grace on 20th May, 1938, and departed to be with Christ on 20th March. He was a foundation member of the Lough Road assembly, Ballykeel, Co Down, which has sustained a tremendous loss. He was a man who manifested much of the grace of God and bore a consistent testimony in the community. He was much given to prayer in his private and family life, and was also consistent and deeply exercised in prayer and worship in the assembly. He had a good understanding of the Word of God and was a wise and diligent overseer. R J Tinsley and W J Nesbitt conducted his funeral services.
