Mrs Victoria May (Vickie) Black, in her 82nd year. She was a faithful widow who was a credit to the assembly in Shankill, Belfast. Her two daughters and three grandchildren were a credit to her, and she was a consistent attender at every meeting. She was loved by all, and her funeral service was one of the largest that left Shankill Gospel Hall. The gospel was preached to a very large audience, and we pray that some of her grandchildren and some of her neighbours will have heard the gospel to their eternal blessing.
Miss Rachel (Rea) Bustard, on 17th July, aged 79, in hospital after failing health for some years. Saved in 1953 at gospel meetings by Messrs Wallace and Paisley in a tent at Newtownstewart, she was soon baptised and in the assembly there. While able she was active in the Sunday School and the gospel, but for some years she was unable to attend. Her funeral was conducted by J Martin and S Gilifillan, brethren R Wilson and J Monteigh also sharing. Prayer valued for her last remaining sister at present in a private nursing home.
Mrs Rita Carter, called home on 30th June. Saved as a girl of eleven and baptised at seventeen in Keswick, Rita returned to the assembly at Highfields Gospel Hall, Egham until she married in 1969. Ron and Rita moved to Milton Keynes in 1984 coming into fellowship at New Bradwell. Rita will be remembered for her cheerfulness in the face of poor health over several years, and her willingness to help in the assembly work as she was able.
Mr Mark Farquharson, suddenly on 7th July, aged 32. Saved as a boy of nine, and baptised in August, 1988, in December, 1990 he was received into fellowship in Knightswood assembly, Glasgow. In September, 2001 he moved with his wife, Joy, to Lanarkshire and was received into Elim Gospel Hall, Plains, where he continued in fellowship until his sudden home call. As a couple they were given to hospitality and opened their home to the saints regularly. Prayer is requested for Joy (daughter of the late Robert McPheat) and daughter Hannah who had her second birthday in the week of her father’s home call. Also for Mark’s parents, Brian and Margaret, and sister Lois, along with Joy’s mother Greta.
Mr John Gibson, on 20th July, aged 86, after a prolonged and trying illness patiently borne. Our brother was saved in 1944 in Ballywalter, shortly after his marriage. He learned the truth of the assembly, and loved to share in the various gatherings, becoming a diligent student of the Scriptures. Many years were spent in USA, principally in Manchester, CT. He returned to Kilkeel in 1990 with his wife Elizabeth, who predeceased him in 1997. Even in extreme weakness, our brother sought to testify to his carers. The funeral service was conducted by brethren S McBride, J Rogers, and J Lennox. His influence and exercise will be missed in the Kilkeel assembly.
Mr Charles Gillespie, on 27th July, in his 100th year. Saved at fourteen in 1921 at Camelon at a mission held by Mr Edward Rankine, he was baptised and received into fellowship later that year. He became an elder in 1928, and acted as treasurer, Bible class leader for a time, then correspondent, until he moved to Uddingston in 1975. He remained an elder there until ill-health overtook him. Despite being unable to attend meetings for the past year, he maintained a keen, prayerful interest in the Lord’s work, His people, and the spread of the gospel worldwide.
Mrs Mary Halliday, aged 86 years, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on 25th July, after several years of failing health and weakness patiently borne. Mary was the oldest child of James and Edith Geddis, pioneer missionaries in Central Africa. In 1932 at Kalunda, Angola, twelve year old Mary received Christ as her Saviour through the words of Acts 16.31. Mary trained as a nurse and midwife, commencing the medical work at Dipalata, N Rhodesia (now Zambia) in 1946, where she was assisted by her younger sister Eleanor. People were given the gospel message each time they attended her dispensary. Even in her final years in Africa, when struggling with her health, Mary never went out to the villages without her bag of medicine. She was known to the African people as "Ndona Mariya" - she loved them and they loved her. In 1950 she married Bill Halliday and together they served the Lord in Zambia for almost sixty years. Latterly, on account of Mary’s failing health, they returned home to N Ireland. The large company who gathered for her funeral service in Newtownbreda Gospel Hall was a real testimony to the high esteem in which she was held. Her funeral service was conducted by John Wilkinson and Ivan Gordon in the hall and James Martin at the graveside. A service of thanksgiving for Mary’s life and service was held in Zambia a short time later. Prayer is valued for her husband Bill, her daughter and son, and her two sisters in Zambia.
Mrs Elizabeth Kerr was called into the presence of the Lord, whom she loved and served, on 9th March, aged 90 years. Saved at nine, baptised at thirteen, and received into fellowship at Catrine, Elizabeth was the widow of Daniel Kerr, called home in 1976. After Catrine closed in 1978, Elizabeth and her daughter Margaret transferred to Auchinleck assembly, where they remained for sixteen years, before moving to Tarbolton assembly. Latterly, ill health prevented attendance at the meetings. Remember her daughter in prayer, and also her three sons and their families.
Mr Henry Lees, on 11th July, aged 89, after a lingering illness patiently borne. At his home, he peacefully passed in to see the King in His beauty. Saved for seventy years, he was baptised and received into Kingsmills assembly about sixty years ago, where he was a steady brother. He loved the assembly, the people of God, and the gospel. He was not a public man, but a most faithful attender at all the assembly meetings, in spite of his problem some years back when he had both legs amputated. The large funeral bore testimony to the very high esteem in which he was held. S McBride and J Martin were responsible for the services and M McKillen prayed. Prayer valued for his widow.
Mrs Patricia Little, on 17th July, aged 91. Saved as a child and received into fellowship in her mid-teens at East Ham assembly, London, she married William Sumner and lived in Wimbledon and Sidcup, where they faithfully served the Lord. They travelled extensively at home and abroad supporting the Lord’s servants. After the death of William, our sister married Allan Little and they were in fellowship at Pamber Heath. Widowed again, she bravely bore a serious illness and spent her last eight months being tenderly cared for in the Bethany Care Home. An esteemed sister who will be greatly missed.
Mr William Norman Maxwell, on 28th July, in hospital. He was saved when he was sixteen while attending meetings in Albertbridge Road assembly, conducted by Mr James Geddis, and was for a number of years in Dungannon assembly, and later in Banbridge assembly. He was a successful businessman but never allowed his prosperous business to interfere with his spiritual life and activities. He was respected in the community and loved in the assembly, and will be greatly missed. Prayer valued for his widow and family, all in Christ. Messrs Gilliland, Hutchinson and Radcliffe spoke words of comfort and challenge in the home, in Banbridge Gospel Hall , and at the graveyard.
Mr John McCord. Our brother was called home to be with the Lord on 9th July, aged 83. He was saved in 1952, and later baptised and received into fellowship in Stonewall assembly. Subsequently, he was a founder member of the assembly in Longford, where he continued in happy fellowship for over thirty years. John was a Godly, sincere man, and a much respected, faithful elder, being present at all the assembly gatherings. His good testimony was shown in the large attendance at the funeral. Prayer is requested for his wife Miriam, his two sons, their wives and grandchildren.
Mrs Elizabeth Moore, on 14th August, after a short illness in hospital, aged 79. Saved when she was eleven years old, she was given assurance of salvation through John 3.36. After baptism she was received into assembly fellowship in which she continued devotedly all her life. A woman who loved the Lord and served Him faithfully, and was given to hospitality, she had the joy of seeing all her family saved and interested in the ways and work of the Lord. One of her daughters with her husband serves the Lord in Brazil. After her husband, a respected elder in the Buckna assembly, had a stroke, she cared for him and was devoted to his welfare. The very large funeral from her home was an indication of the esteem in which she was held. The services were conducted by J G Hutchinson, S McBride, D Gilliland, and J Fleck. Words of respect and comfort were given as well as a clear gospel message. Prayer valued for her husband and family.
Mrs May Neilly, on 6th August, aged 89. Our sister was born in Barrhead in 1916 and was born again at the age of fourteen. She was baptised and came into fellowship at Chappell Street Gospel Hall in 1932. She had not enjoyed good health for the last few years and looked forward to being with the Lord. Although many of her contemporaries had passed on, the hall was well filled with many former friends and neighbours who heard the Word of God there and at the cemetery. Her husband Willie passed away thirty-three years ago and she is survived by her daughter Anne and family who will sadly miss her.
Mr Matthew (Matt) Taylor passed away on 6th May, aged 95 years. He was saved at the age of sixteen in Mr Alec Borthwick’s house after hearing the gospel preached, and spent most of his life in the village of Kirknewton, where he devoted his life and energy in fellowship in the small assembly there, which closed in 2003. Matt was well known as a regular visitor at the homes of the villagers, reading the Scriptures and praying with them, which he continued until a short time before his death. The respect that this created was reflected in the number who attended his funeral, both in the hall at Dedridge, and at the local cemetery. The village is the poorer for his passing. Please remember his wife Jean and the family in your prayers.
Mrs Nancy Todd passed away peacefully at home on 23rd May, aged 82. As a young girl she trusted the Lord after seeing the Northern Lights and taking it as a sign that the Lord was returning. She was brought up in the assembly at Annbank, and after her marriage to Walter in 1947 moved to the village of Catrine. In 1957 they moved to Kilmarnock, and later to Coatbridge, and Cumnock, enjoying happy fellowship in the local assemblies. During these years their home was open to all, especially visiting speakers and young people. She had a great interest in missionary work, and her quiet, caring concern was instrumental in influencing others to come to the Lord. She supported her husband Walter in his preaching and teaching ministry, and quietly taught her young family of the love of Jesus and the way of salvation. She subsequently saw all her children and grandchildren come to trust the Lord. Latterly, as her illness progressed, Nancy and Walter moved to Hamilton to be near their daughters, and as her memory dimmed for a long time she delighted in singing hymns and choruses, and constantly reminded the family that, "He knows, He loves, He cares".
