Mr Allan Barr, called home on 23rd April, aged 86. Allan was saved as a young man in Blackbraes Mission, was baptised in Larbert Baptist Church, and later came into the assembly at Shieldhill, where he was an elder for many years. He was bereaved of his wife Margaret, at the age of fifty-three, but had the joy of seeing his two sons and all his granddaughters trusting the Lord Jesus. He spent much of his time in later years visiting hospitals and the homes of the villagers, often taking part in their funerals as well. He was well known in the village, and sought to influence all to come to hear the gospel. At his funeral, which he arranged himself, there was a large company from far and near which bore testimony to the wide regard in which he was held. We will all miss him.
Mrs Margaret Bell (née McCulloch). Our sister was called home to be with her Lord on 27th June. She passed away peacefully in hospital, at the age of 77, after a lengthy illness borne with great patience. She was saved while a young girl and then baptised and received into fellowship in the Overtown Assembly during 1945 at the age of fifteen. She met her husband Willie from Kirkintilloch and they were married in June, 1955. They spent all their married life in Overtown Assembly. The Lord blessed their marriage with a son and two daughters who also came to know the Lord as their Saviour. Margaret gave hospitality to visiting speakers and to other saints. She was a true helpmeet to her husband. During her last year of illness she spent most of the time in hospital but still came to the services in the assembly when she could. The large company who gathered at her funeral, with many of the villagers present, was evidence of the respect with which she was held. Prayer is requested for her husband and all the family at this time.
Mrs Sarah Jane (Sadie) Dobbin, called home on 26th May, aged 87. Saved as a girl of ten in Co Donegal she was later baptised and received into fellowship at Laghy. After her marriage in 1951 she and her husband Gerald met with the saints at Edenderry, Ballymagarrick, and later for thirty-six years at Cregagh Street, Belfast. They both were consistent in assembly testimony and given much to hospitality. Our sister’s closing years were spent in Lurgan, and latterly in Faith House Eventide Home, where she was happy with the saints. Her large funeral from Lurgan Gospel Hall was shared by W Turkington, G Stewart, J Martin, D Gilliland and T Adamson. Some in the family are not yet saved and for them prayer would be valued.
Mr Oliver Johnston was called home on 26th April, aged 77. He was saved as a young man and shortly afterwards became a member of the Magherafelt Assembly, where he continued faithfully until his decease. He was deeply committed to young people’s work, and also served for many years as assembly treasurer and precentor. Oliver was highly respected both as an elder and as a businessman in the town, and his funeral was attended by a wide cross-section of the community. W Barr and G Hall gave words of appreciation and comfort at the graveside. L Craig gave an appropriate message. His widow June and family of four, all of whom know the Lord, have appreciated the support and sympathy of numerous Christian friends, particularly during the difficult time of Oliver’s illness and death.
Miss May McFadden, on 5th July, aged 80. Saved in 1961, she was ever since a loyal, devoted member of the Gransha assembly. She took an interest in all the assembly activities and gave much appreciated help. In early life she accepted responsibility as house keeper and mother to the Trimble family, and had the joy of seeing them all saved. In her severe illness they reciprocated and as far as possible made the closing weeks of her life comfortable. S McBride and J G Hutchinson conducted the services at the very large funeral assisted by J Martin and T Wright.
Mr George McKinley went home to heaven on 14th June after a long period of ill health. Born in 1929 in Dungannon, County Tyrone, George trusted Christ on 15th February, 1943, shortly after his grandmother’s death. The words of Romans 10.9, led him to salvation. He was baptised and received into the Dungannon Assembly in 1946, where he remained in happy fellowship all his life. George worked in the local linen industry, and then later took over his father’s toy and fancy goods shop in the 1960s. Becoming increasingly interested in full time preaching, he closed the shop in 1981 and stepped out in faith as a preacher of the gospel. His first series of meetings was in Monaghan with brother Samuel Maze. A number were saved. He continued steadfast in full time preaching in Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, and elsewhere. In October, 1994, while preaching in Canada, he suffered a severe heart attack and was in hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia for many weeks. As a result of this illness he was unable to continue in full time preaching but spent his time ministering to the sick and bringing many people to hear the gospel. Usually he was able to preach on Lord’s Day evenings and often saw souls saved as the result of his efforts. He fell ill again in January, 2007 and was in hospital a number of times until the Lord called him home. He leaves a beloved wife of forty-eight years, Queenie, and four sons, three of them saved and married, others of the family still unsaved. Our brother’s funeral was held on Lord’s Day, 17th June, from his home in Dungannon. Brother Thomas McNeil opened in prayer, and the gospel was preached in the home by brother Samuel Maze. At the graveside, over 300 heard the gospel again, preached by brother James Martin. Other brethren shared in hymns and prayers. Prayer is requested for the family, especially the unsaved members.
Mrs Christina (Cissie) McPherson was called home on 12th July, aged 87, after a long illness borne with courage and dignity. Cissie was born and brought up in Footdee, Aberdeen, and it was there in her own home that she trusted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour as a girl of twelve. A few years later she was baptised and received into assembly fellowship with saints who met in Footdee Gospel Hall. After her marriage to Alex McPherson in 1943 she became identified with the assembly meeting at Fountain Hall, Woodside, Aberdeen. A widow since 1990, Cissie continued quietly and consistently, bearing a bright testimony right to the end.
Mrs Mary Tennant was called home on 8th June, aged 91. Our dear sister was saved, baptised in her teens, and met in fellowship with the assembly at Grangemouth. With her late husband Jim, she was faithful in serving her Lord, both in the gatherings of the saints and among her neighbours, who often received help from her. She was a true helpmeet to her beloved husband Jim and was an example to all who knew and loved her. Our sister was a faithful visitor to the sick and housebound saints. While in her last few years, due to ill health, she was unable to gather with the assembly, she maintained a love for her Lord and His people. Please remember her relatives in prayer.
