Mrs Margaret Bradley passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on 21st January just sixteen days before her 92nd birthday. Margaret was saved at the age of 44 and attended the Independent Methodists for many years before being baptised and entering into fellowship in Thomas Street Gospel Hall, Dungannon. Margaret will be sadly missed by both the family circle and her fellow believers in Dungannon. She was a faithful consistent sister in the assembly while she was able and her seat will now be empty. Her funeral service was held in Ashbrooke Nursing Home where she was a resident. Mr Sammy Maze and Mr Noel Glasgow conducted the services in the Home and at the graveside where words of comfort and warning were spoken.
Mr Edward Collington, aged 87, was called home to be with his Lord on 24th December, after a recent illness. Saved, baptised, and received into fellowship in his early life, he was a man of great dignity and ability who consistently walked with his God. He will be greatly missed in the assembly as a godly overseer who always had wise counsel, a shepherd who lovingly cared for the sheep, and a teacher of the Word of God who ever desired that through his ministry Christ was exalted. We not only revere his memory, we endeavour to follow his example. Remember the family circle in prayer, and also those who attended the funeral who as yet do not know the Saviour, that the life and memory of our brother might yet bring them to Christ.
Mrs Nan Harding, aged 84, was called home on 10th September after a short illness. Originally from Putney, she was saved at 13 at a mission hall, was baptised, then became aware of assembly truths when she met Les her husband. From then on she was faithful and committed to the assembly and its principles, in North London, Belvedere in Kent, Basildon, and latterly in the Westcliff assembly for over 30 years. She was gracious, hardworking - a woman of principle and prayer, with a smile for everyone. She prayed regularly for each believer in the assembly, both young and old, taking a real interest in them and she had a genuine love for them all.
Mrs Eileen H Henning, aged 93, was called home on 23rd January. Saved in 1972 while attending meetings conducted by W J Nesbitt in Annabane Hall, she was in happy fellowship in the Newry assembly from 1988. A happy and contented believer who loved the Lord and His people, she maintained a bright and faithful testimony to her Saviour and Lord. She was unselfish and caring in her outlook and highly respected in the community. The funeral service was taken by John Rogers, Malcolm Radcliffe, Bertie Rogers, and Philip Bradley.
Mr Robert Horne, aged 78, was suddenly called home on 6th January while preparing to remember his Lord with the believers in Glenluce. He was born in 1929 in Bolivia, where his parents, Mr and Mrs Peter Horne, served as missionaries. The family came home to Scotland before the war, but Mr and Mrs Horne returned to Bolivia leaving their children in the care of relatives. Saved at the age of seven, Robert eventually came into assembly fellowship with his wife Jean in Dalmellington. His working life was spent as a shepherd, and for the last twenty-six years he had a sheep farm was Drannandow, Newtown Stewart where he was a well-known breeder of Blackface sheep. Sadly, his later years saw him suffering greatly from the effects of organo-phosphate poisoning contracted from years of working with sheep dip. He bore the condition with great fortitude. He was devoted to the little assembly in Glenluce, where he and his wife Jean faithfully worshipped and served the Lord for about forty-five years. There, he was a true shepherd of the flock, shunning not to declare unto them "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20.27), and taking seriously Paul's exhortations of v.28. A diligent student of the Word, he was greatly used in the surrounding assemblies. He was held in great esteem in both his working and personal life as seen by the gathering of between 500 and 600 people from all over Scotland who came to pay their respects at his funeral. Robert and Jean had no children of their own, but were greatly blessed when they became carers of a family bereft of their parents. Pray for Jean and the family - Robert is greatly missed.
Mr David Lemon, aged 58, was called very suddenly into the Lord's presence in August. David was saved under the preaching of Harold Paisley in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead at the age of 14. He was baptised when he was 17, was received into fellowship, and continued there regularly for many years, maintaining his strong conviction as to the uniqueness of the assembly. He was a real family man, loved by his wife and three sons, and had a good testimony. David was buried from York Street Hall, from where only a week previously he had laid his father-in-law to rest. Please remember Ann and the boys in their sadness as they look for that day of reunion.
Mr Robert (Bob) Magill went to be with the Lord on 17th January after a short illness in hospital. He was saved in 1932 at meetings in Waringstown conducted by Mr Hawthorn Bailie and Mr James Murphy through the words of John 3.14-15. First received into Waringstown assembly, he was for some time in Cregagh Street and Matchett Street, Belfast. For the last forty-five years he was in Dunmurry assembly. Faithful to the Lord and the assembly and helpful in ministry he was also a capable gospel preacher. He with his wife Evelyn (née Hull) were given to hospitality. Their home was a sanctuary to students attending colleges in Belfast, and was open to the Lord's servants and the saints. Their visitation and care for the sick and sorrowing was known and valued in the whole province, and further afield, and was evidenced by the large number attending the funeral service, conducted by Mr D Gilliland and Mr B Currie, with others sharing. Prayer requested for his widow and family circle.
Mr James Moore, aged 86, of Buckna assembly, Co. Antrim was called home on 13th February, being 70 years in Christ that day. He had patiently endured since suffering a stroke in 1991. His years were spent in loyal service to Christ and the assembly, which included leading the Bible Class where many young lives were moulded. An overseer of godly influence, he truly left his mark upon "the generation to come" (Ps 78.6), endearing himself to the saints. Having a wholesome dread of superficiality, he had at the same time a notable tenderness that was evident in public and private service. At his very large funeral, he was rightly described as a "pillar". A character in the true sense, he will be much missed. With his late devoted wife he had the joy of seeing his five children saved, one of whom is Mrs Gregg Buchanan, Brazil. Most of the grandchildren already share the blessed hope. S McBride and D Gilliland preached at the funeral, assisted by J G Hutchinson and J Fleck. Respectful unsaved neighbours heard the Word presented with power.
Mr Peter Moore, aged 93. Saved in 1948 when Mr D L Craig was conducting meetings in Letterkenny, Isaiah 53 was used by God to lead him to Christ. Ever since he has been in Letterkenny assembly, where he was a real help in many ways. He was a godly, sincere, peaceable, happy man, and his testimony in the town and district was admired and respected. The assembly will greatly miss him. Prayer valued for his widow and son and the wider family circle. The very large funeral was conducted by J G Hutchinson and G Stewart with B Gibson, G Wallace, and G Harris sharing in hymn and prayer.
Mr William O'Neil, aged 87. Our brother was called into the Lord's presence on 12th February. He was a man of a quiet unassuming spirit who was known for his godly consistency. Saved, baptised, and received into fellowship early in life, he was best known for his years of faithful service in the assembly at Blantyre. When the assembly closed some years ago, Willie, along with his wife Annie, gathered with the saints in Low Waters assembly. They did not enjoy good health yet their faithfulness and commitment to the Lord and His assembly was a challenge and an example to all who knew them. In his closing years he gathered with the assembly at Lesmahagow, and in that brief time was a blessing to them there. Pray for the family, many of whom are not saved.
Mr Ronald Padfield, aged 89, was called home on 21st January after a period of declining health. Born in New Zealand, he lost his mother while young and the family moved to the UK. He was saved, baptised, and received into fellowship in Pensford Gospel Hall, near Bristol, where he remained in happy fellowship for well over seventy years. He never married, yet regularly provided hospitality for the saints of the assembly and visitors. He was faithful, generous, and loved as an elder, and his ministry and help will be greatly missed. He loved the Lord and witnessed a good confession to his family, friends, neighbours, and employees. He travelled widely, and his many friends abroad will mourn his loss yet rejoice that he is with the Lord. Whose faith follow.
Mrs Martha Wallace, aged 82, was called home on 16th February. She trusted Christ as Saviour as a young woman of 17, and in November, 2002 she and her husband Robert were received into the assembly in Elim Gospel Hall, Plains, where she continued in happy fellowship until her home call. Although she did not enjoy good health over these years, she made every effort to attend every meeting, even when in considerable pain, and was a great encouragement to the assembly. She particularly enjoyed the prayer meetings and often spoke about being encouraged by the specific prayers of others. With her husband, she supported the gospel throughout the area. The assembly will miss her presence, but also her interest in others and her many practical kindnesses. Her husband Robert would value the prayers of the saints for himself and also for their son Eric, his wife and family.
