Mr Thomas (Tommy) Alderdice, called home on 24th March. Saved as a boy of 12 years at Mullafernaghan in 1943 when brethren Stewart and Wallace were preaching, he was soon baptised and received into fellowship at Mullafernaghan. He continued there all his life, being present at the meetings until about two weeks before he died. A man of integrity and ability in the things of God, he was for many years an overseer and correspondent in the assembly. He had a love for childrens work, not only teaching in the Sunday School, but also helping in a Monday night childrens meeting for many years in the district. A man with a heart for the gospel and the salvation of souls. He will be greatly missed by his family and in the assembly. The large funeral showed the esteem in which he was held and was conducted by J Graham, WE Erwin and R Pickering.
Mrs Pearl Armstrong, aged 91, called home to be with the Lord on 12th April. She was saved in September, 1956 and her whole christian life was spent with the believers gathered to the Lords Name in the city of Londonderry. She was a faithful, hospitable "Mother in Israel". Her home in a difficult part of Londonderry was a haven for the Lords people, and many evangelists working in that area, resided there and were helped in the gospel in many different ways. Her very large funeral was a testimony to her neighbours and was conducted by brethren Tom Meekin and David Kane, and others shared in prayer. The assembly in Londonderry has been greatly reduced and we pray that it will be added to and maintained in that Maiden City of Ulster.
Mr Edward Brown, taken to be with the Lord on 8th April, aged 89 years. A brother indeed, who ever sought to serve his generation, and was marked by consistent attendance and interest in every activity in the assembly at Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, since its inception in 1936. One of the few brethren present to maintain gospel testimony in the district during the years of the war, he subsequently laboured in Sunday School work being superintendent for over twenty years. In addition, as Missionary Secretary for over fifty years, he was responsible for forwarding gifts and corresponding with workers overseas and also for fostering the work abroad. He saw his four children brought to the Lord and going on for Christ. Prayer is requested for his widow, Mrs Joan Brown, who supported him in every good work.
Mr Robert (Bob) Dryden passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Saviour on 20th March, after several years of increasingly poor health. His labours in the assembly were prodigious over many years, and included Sunday School work and open air preaching (for which he had an excellent voice), as well as preaching and ministering the Word in the locality. His consuming passion was the local assembly, and he turned down offers of advancement rather than leave Blyth. He shepherded the flock, and loved the assembly gatherings, at which he acted as precentor. Both he and his wife, Ellen, greatly enjoyed giving hospitality to the Lords people and His servants. They had the joy of seeing their three sons saved, and prayer is greatly valued for the family, especially his dear wife, together with the small testimony remaining at Blyth.
Mr Alfred (Alfie) Gray went to be with the Lord on 20th February, aged 83 years. Saved in Portadown when the late D L Craig was preaching in 1944, he was afterwards baptised and received into fellowship. For the last thirty years he was in fellowship with the Scotch Street Assembly three miles from Portadown. Alfie had a keen interest in the Scriptures, loved the preaching of the gospel, and loyally supported those who preached it. He was faithful and helpful in the assembly where he sought to encourage the younger believers. He was of a very hearty caring disposition, loved by all who knew him, and especially his family who lovingly tended to him. His wife and three daughters with their families will miss him dearly. His large funeral was conducted by R Pickering, J Wishart and C Morrison.
Mr Willie McCall, called home on 21st February in Ayrshire Hospice, in his 90th year, after a long illness, borne patiently. Saved as a lad in Ayr, he was first in fellowship in Paisley, then Bridge of Weir. After moving to Ayr, he was in fellowship in Woodpark, then James Street, and latterly in the Gospel Hall, Prestwick Road. Though not a public man, he was a faithful attender at all assembly gatherings. Remember Beatrice and the family in prayer.
Miss Sheila Davidson Moir was called into the presence of the Lord on 3rd April. She was saved at the age of 9, and was later baptised and received into fellowship in Victoria Hall, Aberdeen. As a young believer she was keen to witness for the Lord and to please Him, and this characterised her whole life. Her nursing career took her throughout Scotland, and she enjoyed fellowship in several assemblies, most recently in Holburn Gospel Hall, Aberdeen. Sheila always sought to serve the Saviour in whatever way she could, and her zeal for Christ, her hospitality, and her interest in Gods people were evident to all. There were challenges as she sought to please her Lord, but, even when the difficulties of illness became more pressing, her faith held fast, being shown in the words she often used "The Lord knows all about it". She was content to rest on that. Sheila was a gracious Christian lady in every sense, fervent in prayer, and her testimony is one that we would all do well to follow.
Mr David Stothers, called home on 9th April. Saved as a young man, he loved and lived for his Lord and for the assembly at The Birches. For many years he and his dear wife Sarah supported all the assembly meetings, and also the gospel as it was preached in their district. A quiet brother who was beloved by all who knew him, his very large funeral showed the respect in which he was held. The services were conducted by Jack Lennox, James Waugh, David Gilliland, Elwood Russell, Sam McBride and John Rogers. Prayer is still needed for dear ones not saved.
Mrs Elizabeth Whitelaw, widow of the late William Whitelaw, was called home on 19th March, aged 92 years. Born in the village of Tarbrax, Lanarkshire on 19th March, 1914. She was born again on 27th March, 1934 in the Gospel Hall, Douglas, Lanarkshire where she lived following her marriage until she and her husband removed in 1976 to Muirhead Gospel Hall where they took on the responsibility of Hall Keepers until 1985. On 9th April, 2005 Mrs Whitelaw moved to Bankhouse, Lesmahagow until her homecall. An elect lady, a virtuous woman, a servant of the church, whose faith follow. Continue to pray for all the members of her family in England and in Muirhead, including her grandchildren and her sister Lena.
Mr F Joseph (Joe) Wilkinson was born on 8th January, 1923 and saved at the age of 15 years in Waringstown, under the preaching of the late D L Craig. Shortly afterwards he was baptised and received into the Waringstown Assembly. Due to his employment he was moved to Omagh, Ballymoney, and finally Belfast. After about four years in Adam Street assembly he moved to Dunmurry and was in happy fellowship there from January, 1959 until his homecall on 30th March. Joe was a most valuable member of the assembly and for many years he was a faithful overseer and also he was the precentor. He and his late wife, Mabel, took a great interest in the childrens work and fruit remains in the assembly to this day. He will be greatly missed.