Mrs Winifred Adams, aged 84 years, widow of the late Robert William Adams, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on 4th March. She was saved as a twelve year old, baptised 3 years later, and was in continuous assembly fellowship on Tyneside from then on. For the last 53 years Win was in fellowship in Ebenezer Hall, Wallsend. A faithful, quiet sister, who used her talents in hospitality and missionary support work, she will be missed. The respect in which she was held was demonstrated by the large number at her funeral. Remember her family, Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth, and David and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for comfort, restoration, and salvation.
Mrs Margaret Cunningham, was called home on 10th April in hospital. Saved in 1941 at meetings in Wallace Avenue Gospel Hall in Lisburn, for all the years since she has been in happy assembly fellowship. A very kind and helpful person, she was deeply interested in assembly activities and gospel work at home and abroad. Her Christian testimony was respected by all, and the esteem in which she was held was shown by the very many who attended her funeral in Ballykeel. Messrs J Allen, J G Hutchinson, and A Bingham participated. Prayer valued for her family connection.
Mrs Joanna Gamble, aged 82, was called into the presence of the Lord on 21st March. Born in Glasgow, our sister trusted Christ as a teenager. She was baptised on the same evening as her future husband, Jack Gamble. In April 1940 she was received into fellowship in Plantation Gospel Hall, Glasgow, where she continued steadfastly for most of her life, gathering for the past 19 years in Bethesda Hall, Glasgow. She was married in 1950, and faithfully supported her husband's ministry until his homecall in 1994. They provided generous hospitality in their home to the Lord's servants and many other Christians. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who rejoiced in the spiritual progress of her family. Her children and grandchildren are active Christians in different parts of Scotland. Three of her grandchildren have spent time in short-term Christian service at home and abroad. All through her life Joanna displayed kindness and sought to give encouragement to all. She was a Christian lady of sterling character, possessing the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which in God's sight is very precious.
Mrs Mary Kernaghan, aged 87 years, was called home on 20th March after a long illness. Our sister was saved on 1st February, 1939 when Robert Curran and Charles Flemming were preaching in Mullafernaghan Gospel Hall, and she was later baptised and received into assembly fellowship. After her marriage to the late David in 1944 they were in fellowship in the Shanaghan assembly. They were given to much hospitality especially to evangelists who were preaching in the district. Our sister faithfully attended all the meetings until her health failed her. She had a great interest in the mission field evidenced by the practical work of knitting garments and sending out parcels, but still found time to help when required in the local assembly. Her large funeral reflected the esteem in which she was held. The service in Banbridge Gospel Hall was taken by Mr M Megaughin and Mr J Rodgers. Mr L Park and Mr F McCauley prayed. Mr John Rodgers spoke at the graveside. Prayer valued for the family, especially those who are unwell at this time.
Mr Robert McKeown, Coagh, Co Tyrone, aged 83, on 7th April. Our brother was saved in 1939 at meetings David Leathem held in Ballymaguire school. He was later baptised and came into fellowship in the Aughavey assembly where he remained until his homecall. He and his late wife, who went to be with the Lord just nine months before him, were much given to hospitality. Though he was not a public man he was faithful in his attendance at the assembly and in support of the gospel in the surrounding area, and will be much missed by all. He had the joy of seeing his two sons and one daughter all saved, also their wives and husband and some of his grandchildren as well, for which he was always very thankful. A large and representative company gathered for his funeral in Aughavey Gospel Hall where clear gospel messages were presented by J Wishart in the hall and by R Pickering at the graveside. Uel Badger, Jack Lennox, and David Owens took part in prayer.
Miss A McKinistry, on 18th April, within days of her 97th birthday. Saved in early life when Mr R Love had meetings in Granshaw Gospel Hall, she was a quiet, consistent lady whose manner of life was respected. She was kind and helpful and loved by the assembly and the neighbours around. For some time, due to age and infirmity, she was not able to be at the assembly meetings. The funeral was well attended, and J G Hutchinson conducted the services. Prayer valued for the extended family circle.
Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) McNab, aged 83, was called into the presence of her Lord on 22nd March. Betty was saved as a girl of 14 while attending Sunday School at Girdle Toll in Irvine. Subsequently, she was baptised and received into assembly fellowship in Waterside Hall, Irvine. Following her marriage to the late Willie McNab she lived in Kilmarnock, and for the rest of her life was in happy fellowship in Elim Hall. Betty McNab was a very happy sister, who was much loved by all who knew her. She was an example of consistency, attended all assembly gatherings, loved to travel further afield to listen to God's Word, and was known for her kindness to others. She has left a fragrant memory and is greatly missed by her family and the assembly. Please remember her daughters Fiona and Janice and the rest of the family in prayer.
Mr David Rea, aged 85 years, was called home to be with his Lord and Saviour on 3rd April, after much suffering these past few years. He was saved when attending gospel meetings being held in Welcome Hall, Belfast at the age of 15. He was associated with Shankhill Baptist Church until moving to London in 1971. He came to Scotland in 1980 and was in happy fellowship at Chapelhall Gospel Hall till his wife (Mary) died in 1997 when he went back to London to stay with his daughter. He was then in fellowship at Hope Hall, Kilburn Lane, until they moved to Thornaby on Tees 6 years ago, but failing health kept him much at home. He loved his Lord and was faithful to the assembly. He will be missed, especially by his family who cared for him and adored him. They all need our prayers.
Mrs Sadie Simpson (Ballymena), aged 73 years, called home (after a short illness) on 19th April. Saved as a girl of 17 under the preaching of the late Alec Cooke in Ballywatermoy, Mrs Simpson was a faithful member of the Rasharkin assembly for 48 years and loved to be with the believers there. Her home was ever open to all the Lord's people. B Currie, S Maze, M. McKillen and J Palmer spoke words of comfort and gospel to the very large audience who attended the funeral. Prayer requested for the family circle, some not yet saved.
Mrs Grace Stafford (née Ussher) departed this life to be with Christ on 9th March. She was born on 7th January, 1935 in Limavady and born again when she was 17 years of age. For some years she was in assembly fellowship in the Killykergan and Limavady assemblies, and in 1963 she emigrated to Toronto, Canada. In 1968 she married Falliss Stafford and for many years they were in assembly fellowship in the Bracondale Gospel Hall which relocated to Langstaff Gospel Hall. The last four years of her life were spent in the Guelph assembly. During their married life they were much given to hospitality. Over the years they kept gospel preachers in their home as they laboured in the gospel in the area. Whilst Falliss and Grace had no children of their own, they cared for Grace's niece and nephew from 1973 until 1987 and had the joy of seeing both saved and gathered to the Lord's name. The large funeral service in the Langstaff Gospel Hall on 14th March was an indication of the high esteem in which Grace was held. The gospel was preached by Albert Hull, and several other brethren took part. Paul Glenney of Hamilton, Ontario spoke suitable words at the graveside. Prayer for her husband and the family would be appreciated; some are still in need of God's salvation.
Mr James Stewart, passed away on 21st April after a fall which led to pneumonia. He was born in Perth on 5th July, 1919 where he became a Christian as a young teenager, was baptised at Kinross, and was in fellowship at Abernethy assembly until he joined the army at 20. He joined the Royal Engineers and, within three weeks was in France and left after Dunkirk. The army then took him to Gravesend and he soon found the assembly at Singlewell Gospel Hall where he was to meet his wife Edith Cox. Four days after marriage he was sent abroad again and did not return for 3 years. He came home without a scratch - God was certainly looking after him. He then returned to civilian life, working as a plumber for the next 40 years. He was greatly involved with the local assembly, being correspondent for about 30 years and one of the elders. His home was always open and he and his wife entertained many of the Lord's servants. He enjoyed working alongside the Kent Counties Evangelists, firstly with John Burns and latterly with Tom Bathgate, helping in practical ways - he could put his hands to most things. He initiated the regional Fellowship of the Counties work and then the Medway Missionary meetings. His other commitments were to the work at Carrington House for men who had nowhere to live, and then to Beatrice Gardens, an old people's home near to where he lived. Jim and Edith then moved nearer to one of their daughters and were in happy fellowship at Bethany Gospel Hall, Bexleyheath until he died. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, three daughters, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Please pray for his wife and family.
