Mr Jim Adams, aged 66, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord whom he loved and served, on 23rd September. Saved as a boy of 10, he was baptised and received into fellowship at Lungs Assembly at the age of 11. In later years he was a valued Bible class teacher and overseer. He moved to Ballymoney Assembly in 1994 and remained there until his homecall. His life was devoted to the assembly where he was a respected elder. The large funeral bore testimony to the high esteem in which he was held. The funeral services were conducted by brethren M McKillen, W Fenton, R McKeown, and T McNeill. Prayer requested for his wife Ida and the family circle.
Mrs Margaret Affleck, called home on 16th July, aged 82. Saved in 1937 at the age of thirteen, our sister was received into fellowship early the following year. On marrying her late husband, John, they continued in fellowship in Low Waters, Hamilton and at Shields Road, Motherwell. Following our brother’s homecall in 1982, she moved to Lossiemouth where she remained for twenty-three years prior to spending her final months at Auchlochan. Esteemed for her kindness, care and hospitality, our sister will be missed by both family and friends, including those younger in the faith who valued her encouragement and counsel.
Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) Butler, on 21st September, aged 90. Our sister was saved and baptised while in her teens, and was associated with the Baptist Church in Edinburgh. On her marriage she moved to London, but came to Armadale in 1974. She and her husband George, who predeceased her last year, were invited to gospel meetings, and after a few weeks of conviction George trusted Christ and subsequently was baptised. We then had the joy of their fellowship in the assembly for the past thirty years. Betty put herself wholeheartedly into the service of the Lord. She was an "ever-present" at the assembly gatherings, opened her home to the saints, and covered a large housing estate with bi-monthly tracts until she was well into her seventies. Latterly, dementia set in and she gladly slipped away into the Lord’s presence.
Mr James (Jim) Campbell, on 29th September, aged 90. He was saved when he was 36 and two years later after deep exercise, conviction, and considerable cost he, along with his faithful wife, came into assembly fellowship in Killykergan. He remained consistent to the Lord for 50 years, many as Sunday school teacher, treasurer and overseer. Latterly, in failing health, he was lovingly cared for in the home of his daughter and was in fellowship in Harryville. Messrs Lennox, Stewart, and McKillen conducted the funeral service which in itself was a witness to the esteem with which he was held. Prayer is requested for his widow and the family circle.
Mrs Ruth Coulter (née Boville) of the Crosskeys Assembly, on 17th September in her 88th year. Saved at fifteen, she was in assembly fellowship until prevented by failing health. A widow for thirty-seven years, she is survived by four sons and four daughters. She was always interested in attending the meetings and in teaching her children the way of salvation. Mr S Jennings assisted by local brethren conducted the funeral services.
Mrs Mary M Graham, on 5th October, after periods of ill-health, patiently borne. She was saved at fourteen years of age and later received into Ballynashee Assembly. A genteel Christian lady who loved the Lord, and his truth, she was faithful to the assembly, adorning the doctrine of God, her Saviour. She was given to hospitality all of her Christian life, and is mourned and missed by all who knew her worth, especially by her husband and two sons and the family circle. Prayer requested for these.
Mr Willie Hagan, peacefully at a nursing home, on 16th October, in his 93rd year. Willie was saved in the Cookstown area as a young man, baptised in 1944, and received into assembly fellowship. He was quiet but a wise and intelligent brother, a bachelor, and a very successful farmer who, with his late brother Bob, resided on their farm in simple surroundings until his health necessitated the warmth and care of Drapersfield Nursing Home. He was prosperous by the goodness of God and only heaven knows fully the generosity he and his brother Bob showed in the Lord’s work especially to the mission fields. His older sister Mary, now 96, in her weakness in the same Nursing Home, requires our prayerful support at this sad time. The funeral service was conducted by Mr R Nelson and Mr W Taylor, with neighbours and friends in attendance hearing God’s way of salvation clearly preached.
Mrs Mary Hanna went home to be with her Lord whom she loved, on the 4th September, aged 88. Saved as a girl of 16, she was baptised and received into the Lurgan Assembly. For many years she was in fellowship with the assembly at Waringstown where her faithfulness and cheerfulness were an encouragement to all. Truly a Christian lady whose very countenance radiated her appreciation of the Lord whom she served in a gracious godly way. For the last 18 months she was laid aside with a stroke, but was lovingly and tenderly cared for by her devoted husband and daughter who will miss her so much. Her funeral was conducted by R Pickering and J Watson.
Miss Olive Johnston was called home on 25th September, aged 89. Saved over 70 years ago, under the preaching of George Alexander and William Rodgers, she was baptised and received into Lisbellaw Assembly. Our sister spent a number of years in the United States before returning to Belfast to take up employment in Musgrave Park Hospital. During this time she enjoyed fellowship in Lower Windsor Assembly. Ten years ago, Miss Johnston moved to Ballinamallard to be near her family and the local assembly. Olive, who was gracious and kind, had a prayerful and practical interest in the furtherance of the Lord’s work. Our sister’s funeral service was conducted by William Bell, Samuel Balmer, Lindsay Hunter, and Ron Cunningham. Prayer is valued for her brother-in-law and the wider family circle.
Mr Willard Lennox, called home on 23rd October after a short illness, aged 62. Saved in 1971 at the age of 27, and soon afterwards received into the fellowship of Ballywatermoy Assembly, he was a quiet brother whose heart was in the assembly and who was a regular attender. The very large funeral cortege bore witness to his consistent testimony in the district and to the high esteem in which he was held both in the local community and in business circles. The funeral services were conducted by A McClean, R Love, W Fenton, and J Fenton. Prayer would be valued for his dear wife and family, some of whom are not yet saved.
Mrs Martha Orr, formerly of Brazil, aged 90. Our sister suffered the loss of her beloved husband George on 18th May, and of her eldest son Stanley on 29th July, and she herself passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on 9th September. She was saved in early life in Co Cork and quickly made progress in the things of God. With deep exercise before the Lord she sailed for Brazil in 1947, with her late husband and little son, and for over fifty years faithfully served the Lord in various parts of that land. The later years of her life were spent in Markethill where she was highly esteemed by all. She was a devout, Godly sister who will be much missed by her family and by the small assembly. A woman whose life and testimony live on as an example to all who knew her. Please pray for her wide family circle who have suffered such loss inside the past four months. Her large funeral was from Woodford Hall, Armagh where Albert Fulton gave a suitable message with family members paying tribute and G Brown and R Hewitt sharing in prayer.
Mrs Marion E Sweetnam, on 24th September, after a prolonged illness borne with fortitude and dignity, aged 79. Saved when she was 18 when Mr Harold Senior was conducting meetings in Skibereen, she has been in assembly fellowship ever since. A godly, spiritual, sincere lady, and given to hospitality, in every way she supported her husband who is a guide and leader in the assembly. She had the joy of seeing her two sons saved and active in assembly affairs. The very large funeral was an indication of the esteem in which she was held. J Levis, J G Hutchinson, and S Patterson conducted the services, at which words of appreciation and comfort were given and the gospel simply and clearly proclaimed. Local brethren assisted in hymns and prayer. Prayer valued for her husband and the family, as well as for the assembly which will miss her keenly.
Mr William Symes, called to be with his Lord on 26th September, aged 74, after a long illness bravely borne. Saved as a boy, baptised and received into fellowship in Largs, he and his wife enjoyed fellowship in various assemblies before ending his days in Bethany Hall, Gourock. He was fully committed to the gatherings of the saints until his health deteriorated. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, his wife and family would appreciate your prayers.
