Mrs Arminella Adamson, on 9th March, in her 97th year. She was saved in 1932, and for many years was in the assembly at Lurgan where she was loved and esteemed. A regular attender at all assembly meetings, she was interested in all the assembly work. She had the joy of seeing her husband and all the family saved and interested in the things of God. Her large funeral was an indication of the esteem in which she was held. The services were conducted by J G Hutchinson and D Gilliland assisted by N Turkington and S Dawson. Her passing is mourned by her three sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, for whom prayer would be valued.
Mr Philip John Bees passed away suddenly on 25th February, aged 64. He was saved as a boy in Bristol where he served the Lord in ministry until he moved to the Midlands in his mid-20s. For the next twenty-five years Phil continued his service at Simms Lane Evangelical Church as an elder and Sunday School Superintendent. He fostered the spiritual, social, and musical developments of the young people who attended the church, and his teaching is still remembered by them. He was later in fellowship and an elder at Solihull Gospel Hall where he will be sorely missed. Phil’s extensive ministry was valued by many assemblies throughout England and Wales. Everyone who knew him was aware that he was a saved man who loved and lived for the Lord. He was kind, sincere, and a perfect gentleman at all times. The extremely well-attended thanksgiving service displayed the affection and respect with which Phil was held both near and far. He will be sadly missed by his wife Eden, their three children, and eight grandchildren.
Mrs Isabel King, called home on 22nd October, aged 91. She was saved at twelve years of age and received into fellowship at Newmains. Our sister was a Sunday School teacher there for many years. She married Alex King in 1940 and remained in Newmains until 1999 when they moved to Paisley to be near their daughter. There our sister was in fellowship in Bethany and latterly in Bethesda, Linthouse. In these assemblies, she showed a keen interest in the Lord’s work and His people. Mrs King was a woman of faith who displayed a meek and quiet spirit. She was always cheerful and kind to all. She bore a consistent witness to her Saviour. Please pray for her husband Alex, along with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.
Mr A Leggat was called home on 4th February, aged 88, after fifteen months’ illness patiently borne. He was saved in younger years, and later baptised and received into fellowship at Hebron Hall, Coatbridge, where he remained for over sixty-five years. He was Sunday School superintendent for many years, treasurer for twenty-six years, correspondent for eight years, and active in ministry and gospel until illness prevented him. He was highly respected both in the community and among the saints, and will be greatly missed in the assembly.
Mr Thomas David McClay, suddenly, as a result of a tractor accident on his farm, on 11th February, aged 72. Saved as a lad of 16 at meetings held by Mr W P McVey in the Old Carrick Gospel Hall, Co Donegal, he was baptised three months later and received into the assembly at Carrick, Laghey. His life-long interest was to build up the testimony for God. He was a student of Scripture, and the manner in which he conducted the weekly Bible readings was the evident result of his disciplined study. As the older brethren were called home, more responsibility fell upon Tommy who was a shepherd among the people of God. He also took a great interest in the children of the district and taught succeeding generations of them in the Sunday School. His gospel preaching was clear and simple as he found great joy in telling out this glad message. The Bridgetown Gospel Hall was not large enough to accommodate all those who came to the funeral service, showing the respect of the local community and the esteem of believers across the country. The funeral services were shared by John Fleck, Gilbert Stewart and W J Nesbitt, with others also participating.
Mrs Elizabeth McCullagh, on 31st January, aged 93. She trusted Christ at fourteen years of age at meetings conducted by our late brethren Meharg and Rodgers in 1925. She was in assembly fellowship with her late husband who predeceased her in 1985, as did her son David in 1998. She had the joy of seeing all six of her family saved. She is survived by 2 sons and 3 daughters most of whom are also in assembly fellowship. The funeral was conducted by T McNeill and G McKinley when the gospel was faithfully presented to a very large and representative gathering.
Mrs May Stark, on 26th January, after a lengthy illness in hospital. Born in Co Monaghan in 1922, she was saved in 1937 through Ephesians 2.8, simply trusting the work of Christ. She was married to George Stark in 1958. In 1965 her husband was called home. She was for some years in the Corrick Assembly, and for the last thirty years she was in Newtownstewart Assembly. A quiet godly sister who loved the Lord, the assembly, and the gospel. The large funeral was a token of the respect in which she was held. The services were conducted by J Lennox and J Martin, W Martin, N Coulter and S Gilfillan helping. Prayer valued for her daughter in the assembly and also a son, his wife, and three children not saved.
Mr David Storrie was called home on 7th February, aged 78. Saved at the age of 13, he was later baptised and received into fellowship with the saints that met at Dalmellington. There David was a Bible Class leader for many years. In 1987 he and his dear wife Isa, moved to reside in Ayr, and met with the saints in Woodpark Evangelical Church, where they enjoyed happy fellowship. Our brother was a man of whom it could be said, "He followed the Lord faithfully, he loved the Lord, the Lord’s work, and the Lord’s people". The funeral service was conducted by his nephew Ian Steele, his brother-in-law David Locke and Alastair Simmons. Please remember Isa, his son David and daughter Margaret and their families at this time.
Mrs Sophia Taylor was called home on 24th February, aged 94. Phia will be remembered for her quiet and consistent demeanour in spite of personal tragedy throughout her life. She lost her husband in 1953, and it was around that time that she trusted the Saviour and was added to the assembly at Prince Street Hall, Peterhead. She subsequently lost two of her daughters, and, although these were trying experiences, she bore a bright testimony to her dependence on the Lord. She worked hard to support her family, and still managed to enjoy the assembly gatherings. Please pray for family members still not saved.
Mrs Annie Wallace, on 10th March, aged 90. She was saved when she was eleven years old at meetings conducted by Mr J Moneypenny. In fellowship in the assembly in Ballymena, she was a consistent, kind, hospitable lady. With her husband, who predeceased her by 11 weeks, she gave hospitality to many of the missionaries and evangelists. She had the joy of seeing all her family saved as well as her grandchildren, all keenly interested in the work of the Lord at home and abroad. Her large funeral was in the Gospel Hall and was conducted by J G Hutchinson and R Pickering, with local brethren sharing in prayer etc. These older prayerful sisters will be greatly missed; may God raise up others to help with the carrying on of assembly life.
Mrs Jessie Wight was called home to be with her Lord on 14th March, aged 91 years. Our sister was saved in her teens, baptised, and received into fellowship in the Overtown Assembly during 1929, where she remained a faithful member for over seventy-six years. While her husband was alive their home had an open door for the saints, especially the young folk. She was the assembly organist for forty-three years. Our sister was faithful, present at all the meetings until the last couple of years when failing health curtailed her attendance. She loved the Lord, the Lord’s people and the Lord’s house. Prayer is valued for her family.
