Miss Minnie Bennett passed into the presence of her Lord on 17th November in the Southern Area Hospice, Newry. For quite a number of years she was a most faithful sister in the assembly in Drumreagh, Newmills, Co Tyrone, where she will be greatly missed. As a young girl, she trusted the Lord Jesus in 1944, was baptised the following year, and was received into fellowship in the assembly in Dungannon. Later she trained as a nurse and continued in that profession in England, and in various districts in Northern Ireland. On retirement she lived with an older brother, in Newmills. Her prayers were answered with much rejoicing when she saw him saved just some months before the Lord called him home. Her large funeral services were shared, at her own request, by Messrs Philip Price and George McKinley. Another brother and nieces live in Canada.
Mr John Graham, called home on 30th November, aged 83. Saved at the age of sixteen, he was baptised and received into fellowship at Windsor assembly. Over his life he was in fellowship in a number of assemblies and spent the last eleven years at Derriaghy, following his marriage to his second wife Ada. Marked by a deep love for souls, he preached the gospel widely throughout Ireland and many were saved as a result. Devoted and faithful to the Lord, he loved the Bible and the assembly where he was a consistent attender. Not expecting to die, he looked every day for the Lord to come. He will be sorely missed by his dear wife, for whom prayer is requested, and by the assembly at Derriaghy. His funeral services were conducted by Mr Tom Armstrong and Mr David Gilliland.
Mrs Martha (Massie) Graham was called home on 13th November, aged 91. Saved for over 70 years, she was baptised and received into Lisbellaw assembly, and for the last 31 years was in Ballinamallard assembly. Mrs Graham bore a consistent testimony, and was a faithful attender at all meetings when health permitted. She will be greatly missed. Prayer is valued for her husband William and sister Olive. Messrs Jack Strahan, William Bell, Roland Pickering, Jim Wishart and Samuel Balmer shared in the funeral service.
Mr Robert (Bert) Hay, called home suddenly on Sunday, 30th October, a day when he attended five services and took an active part in three of them. Born and brought up in Prestwick, he was brought as a toddler to Bute Hall, and it was here that he was saved and baptised as a young boy. Prestwick was his home, and Bute Hall his assembly, for all of his 83 years, apart from a spell in Glasgow during WWII. As a very young man he became an elder and was still faithfully serving the Lord he loved in this way until, literally, the day he died over fifty years later. He was the Treasurer and Secretary, in each case for some years. Many are grateful for the years that he spent leading and teaching a fairly large Bible class. Then he was the Precentor, and led the singing for many years. The exceptionally large funeral showed something of the love and respect in which our brother was held by all. This was addressed by his grandsons-in-law, Stephen Grant and Blair Martin. We in Bute Hall are certainly going to miss him and his friendly unassuming manner, his warm infectious sense of humour, his wise counsel, his stability, his integrity, his faithfulness as he served the Lord as an elder for over fifty years. Pray for his dear wife Annie as she comes to terms with her new circumstances, and also for the rest of his very close family.
Mr William (Willie) Knox, called home on 10th November, aged 89. Saved in early life as a lad of 16 years. His father was the late Frank Knox, one of Ulster’s greatest evangelists. Willie, too, developed in spiritual things, with a real interest in the gospel, which he loved to preach. He was a great encourager, a visitor, a caring shepherd, and to his family, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather. Our brother was for many years in the assembly at Waringstown, but latterly through illness was unable to attend, during which time he was tenderly cared for by his wife and family. His large funeral was conducted by Roland Pickering with others sharing.
Miss Anne Lyttle, in hospital, on 17th December, after a short illness. She was saved in Portadown in 1959 and was received soon after into assembly fellowship. She lived for a number of years in Bangor, and for the last five years was in Portadown assembly, where she was very much appreciated for her interest and devotion in the things of the Lord and the assembly. Her funeral from Portadown Gospel Hall was nicely attended when Messrs JG Hutchinson, D Gilliland and J Rogers gave words of comfort and gospel, assisted by local brethren. Prayer valued for the family connections, not all in Christ.
Mr James (Jim) McAlinden, called home on 20th November, aged 92. Jim was born into a Roman Catholic home, and lost his mother when he was five. When he was in his teens, the Rennick family of Bleary showed kindness and care for him and his sister Mary, seeing both won to Christ. He moved to Belfast in 1935 and was in fellowship in Matchett Street assembly for sixty-five years. Jim had poor sight in later life, but it could be said of him and his late wife Ruby that "They continued steadfastly in the fellowship". He was cared for in Faith House in closing years, and fellowshipped in Windsor from where he had a very big funeral. A brother beloved.
Mr W.A.S. Nutt, on 4th December, aged 86. He was saved when he was twenty-two and was in happy assembly fellowship ever since. A quiet, kind, honourable, liberal brother. Many workers at home and abroad as well as the assembly testify to his whole-heartedness. He was also a keen student of the Bible and could give help in the assembly gatherings. His large funeral from the Limavady Gospel Hall was conducted by Messrs D Ussher, J G Hutchinson, and J Lennox. He had expressed he would like the gospel made known at his funeral, and this wish was carried out. Prayer valued for his nephews and nieces.
Mr Daniel Stewart, on 4th November, aged 73, after seven months in hospital incapacitated by a stroke. At forty-two years of age, in need of salvation and in distress about his soul, he trusted Christ at 2 am on 15th January, 1974. He was received into the fellowship of the assembly at Ballyclare in 1979 and took a good interest in its activities, though not a public man. His funeral services were conducted by local brethren Daniel Glenn, James Todd, and others. Prayer valued for his widow Isa (a former member of the assembly at Hebron Hall, Coatbridge), daughter Fiona, and son-in-law Alan.
Mrs I M Whyte, aged 85, saved as a girl of twelve, in the old Ballynure Hall. She was received into Old Park assembly (no longer existing) and remained for a number of years there, before moving to Ballywalter where she was a devoted member of the assembly meeting in Bethel Hall. A quiet, consistent sister attending the meetings as long as health permitted. Her sincere attitude endeared her to all, and she will be greatly missed. Prayer valued for her family connection, not all in Christ. Her funeral was conducted by J G Hutchinson and M McKillen, with local brethren sharing.
