Mr James (Jim) Craig was suddenly called into the presence of his Lord on 13th October, aged 74. Jim was saved in his early 20s, baptised, and, with his wife Sheila, was in fellowship firstly in Victoria Hall, and latterly in Holburn Gospel Hall, both Aberdeen. From the moment of his conversion he devoted his energies to the service of the Lord, while also running a successful fish merchant’s business. He was extensively involved in Gospel Van work, children’s work, and tract distribution, as well as being prominent in the practical aspects of assembly life. His thanksgiving at the Remembrance of the Lord and his intercession at the prayer meeting were a delight to hear, and as a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord his welcome to those coming into the hall was open and sincere. He was a good and faithful servant and has now entered into the joy of his Lord. He leaves a widow and 2 daughters and their families, and for them prayer would be valued.
Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) Dugan, suddenly on 27th September, aged 80. She was saved in 1972 at meetings conducted by Messrs Boland and Grant. A few days later her husband was saved, and in the weeks following, all her four children were also saved. She was a spiritual woman, who, having observed the breaking of bread meeting, decided that was where she should be. She and her husband were received into Comber assembly, where, apart for a short time in Ballymacashon, she continued steadfastly. She was kind, helpful, and given to hospitality. The very large funeral was an indication of the esteem in which she was held. The services were conducted by J G Hutchinson and J Rogers, assisted by R Patton.
Mr Earnest Farmer went to be with Christ on 7th September, aged 59. He was saved in January during a series of gospel meetings at Birches, County Armagh. Soon after his conversion he was baptised and received into the assembly at Teaguy. During his short Christian life Ernie developed spiritually and displayed a love for lost souls. Several hundred people attended his funeral services and heard tribute paid by David McGarvey, and the gospel preached by James and Wesley Martin. Prayer is valued for his wife Hilary, two daughters, and son-in-law.
Annie Foster, on 17th October, aged 85. Saved at the age of 17 after a Gospel Meeting, Annie was a founder member of the Bloomfield assembly in 1944, and was in happy fellowship for the past 63 years. She was a consistent and regular attender at all the assembly meetings up until a short time before she died. She had a great love for children and children’s work and had a practical involvement in missionary work. Annie was held in very high esteem by her friends and neighbours, many of whom attended her funeral. M Beattie, W Mayhew, W Pauley, and S Hawthorne shared in the services. Please remember her three remaining sisters and the wider family circle who keenly feel her passing.
Mr Ronald (Ronnie) Johnston went to be with Christ on 6th May, aged 78. The Lord saved him on 8th May, 1956, and from that day until the day of his homecall Ronnie put God and the assembly of God’s people first in his life. Having begun his assembly life with the saints in Strabane following a number of moves because of his employment, he came to the fellowship in Ebenezer Gospel Hall in Bangor, Co Down in 1975 where he remained until his homecall. As a gifted gospel preacher and an able minister of the Word he was in great demand throughout the province and on occasions the Lord was pleased to add blessing to his labours. The saints in Ebenezer, where he was a faithful overseer, benefited from his fellowship and greatly valued his wisdom, discernment and counsel. He was much loved, was a faithful visitor of the sick, and always added something to the assembly meetings by his presence and by his contributions. His public prayers and thanksgivings had a rare savour of sweetness about them, and this was a clear indication that he was a man of the sanctuary. He is greatly missed. His dear wife Jessie, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and needs our prayers, faithfully supported him through the years. Some of his local brethren and old friends had the privilege of taking part in his large funeral service which in itself was an evidence of the esteem in which he was held. Mr David Gilliland gave an excellent word of comfort to the family and presented the gospel in a tender yet challenging way.
Mr William Kennedy, aged 96, went to be with the Lord on 15th September. He was saved in 1952 under the preaching of John Grant. He was later baptised and received into fellowship in Donemana Gospel Hall and was a very faithful brother who was involved in all the assembly activities until latterly, through ill health, he was unable to do so. He will be greatly missed by us all. D Lowry spoke in Donemana Hall, and N Coulter spoke at the graveside with local brethren sharing in prayer and hymns. The number of neighbours and friends present at his funeral showed the respect with which Willie was held in the community. Our deepest sympathy is extended to all the family circle.
Mrs G E McMeekin, on 16th September, aged 79, after a long and trying illness. Saved when very young, she developed into a bright and happy Christian, interested in the welfare and blessing of young and old all around her. She was a member of the Cambridge Avenue assembly, Ballymena, where she was loved and respected. She had the joy of seeing her son and daughter saved. Her son serves the Lord in gospel outreach in the Irish Republic. Her funeral was from the Gospel Hall, the large company indicating the esteem in which she was held. J G Hutchinson and T Wallace gave words of comfort and challenge, assisted in hymns and prayer by local brethren. Prayer valued for her husband who is not too well.
Mrs Norah McNabb, aged 82. Saved in her youth while attending gospel meetings held by Albert McShane, Norah was soon after baptised and received into assembly fellowship at Teaguy Gospel Hall where she continued faithfully until her sudden homecall. A kind and helpful sister who loved the Lord and was given to much hospitality, she will be missed very much by all. Thompson McCann spoke at the funeral where the gospel was faithfully preached along with words of comfort to the family circle.
Mrs Mary Montgomery, called home to be with her Lord on 1st October, aged 92 years. She was saved at gospel meetings conducted by Mr F Bingham in 1928, and with her late husband James was for many years in fellowship in Buckna assembly. A quiet godly woman who loved the Lord, His Word, and His people. She had five daughters and had the joy of seeing some saved, and with their husbands in assembly fellowship. The large funeral was an indication of neighbourly respect. In the home T McNeill spoke words of comfort and the gospel. M McKillen prayed at the graveside and W Fenton preached the gospel. J Moore prayed. Prayer valued for some of the family circle, still not saved, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs Violet Nixon was called home suddenly on 8th August, aged 84. Saved in 1941 through the preaching of Messrs Lewis and Peacock, our sister was baptised and received into Enniskillen assembly. Shortly afterwards, Violet and her husband Willie moved to Belfast to live, where she trained to be a nurse. They were in happy fellowship in Cregagh Street assembly for many years. Her husband died in 1973, and when our sister retired she returned to live in Fermanagh, and was a faithful and valued member of Ballinamallard assembly until her homecall. Mrs Nixon was very kind, thoughtful, given to hospitality, and was present at the meetings when health permitted. There was a large attendance at the funeral in her home and at the graveside. At her request, the funeral services were conducted by William Bell, assisted by Jack Strahan and Jim Wishart. Prayer is requested for her two sons and families, who are not yet saved.
Miss Kathleen Stewart, on 10th September, aged 87. She was saved when quite young and ever since was in assembly fellowship. Apart from a few years when she was in Dundonald, her life has been in the Ballymena assembly now meeting in Cambridge Avenue. She was the daughter of the well-known and widely used Mr Joseph Stewart. She took a very real interest in all the assembly activities, ever praying for the work of the gospel at home and abroad. She will be greatly missed by the many saints in whom she took an interest. Prayer valued for her sister Jean and the family living in the USA. Her funeral was from the Gospel Hall, with J G Hutchinson and J Parkinson speaking, assisted by local brethren in hymns and prayer.
Mrs Amy Veal, called home on 2nd October, aged 92. Saved as a girl of 16 under the preaching of Mr Frank Knox, she was received into Matchett Street assembly. She and her husband Harry, who predeceased her in 1988, started married life in Maranatha, later Matchett Street, Albertbridge Road, Belfast. On moving to Bangor they were in Ebenezer assembly. They were a couple who enriched the fellowship, and were marked by their love for the Lord and the assembly. In our sister’s closing years she enjoyed care in Faith House and by the Windsor assembly. Mrs Veal was one who truly adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Mrs Alice Kirkpatrick Young, called home on 23rd September, aged 88 years. Saved at Portavogie in 1933, she was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly two years later. She was a quiet reserved woman who sought to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour by a consistent godly life as she maintained a spiritual interest in the preservation of the assembly testimony. She was marked by much infirmity in her last few years and was affectionately cared for at home by her faithful husband, John, helped by her only son Jim and his wife Renee. She was marked during her trial by patience and unwavering faith in the Lord, sustained by the sufficiency of His grace. Her large funeral was conducted by S Montgomery, T Meekin, and W J Nesbitt. Kindly remember John and the wider family circle in prayer.
