Mrs Vera Brady (née McKinley), aged 88, on 30th August 2008. She was saved as a girl of 18 after meetings in Magheralin, Co Armagh conducted by Mr William McCracken and Mr Tom Campbell. In fellowship in Portadown Assembly from 1958, Mrs Brady was predeceased by her husband George in 2003. She was known for her faithfulness to the assembly and her hospitality to the saints and the Lord’s servants. She enjoyed singing of the Saviour whom she loved, and while in hospital shortly before her homecall could be heard singing His praises. She will be sadly missed among the Lord’s people and by her son Trevor and the family circle. Mr David Gilliland spoke a challenging word to a large number of friends and neighbours both at the Funeral Parlour and the graveside. Mr George Ewing paid a tribute to Mrs Brady, and Mr Tommy Hanna prayed at the graveside.
Mr Bennie Byron, aged 96, called home on 9th June from Crosshouse Hospital. He was born in Irvine on 6th August, 1913, and had a lifelong association with the assembly in Irvine. Apart from the war years his entire life was spent in Irvine. His great passion was Sunday School work and Children’s work, and this he engaged in for many years. Along with his late wife he was given to hospitality, and many of the Lord’s servants, when they came to Irvine, enjoyed the hospitality of the Byron home. His place is now empty and he will be missed.
Mr James Clarke, aged 44, went home to be with his Lord suddenly on 26th June. James was fully committed to the work of the assembly at Reading, and also the work among the homeless, with the full support of his wife Rachel and daughters Lois (15yrs) and Ruth (13yrs). James and Rachel always kept their home open for the saints, visitors to the area, and those studying in Reading. James will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Prayer is requested for Rachel, the two girls, and the rest of the family.
Mrs May Cowan, called home on 20th June, in her 101st year. She was saved at meetings in Apsley Street Hall, Belfast at the age of seventeen when J McAlpine from Scotland was conducting gospel meetings. She was soon baptised and received into fellowship there. Throughout her long life she evidenced her love to her Lord, His Word, and His people. After her marriage to Johnnie Cowan, a businessman who had a great interest in the work of the Lord especially amongst children, she was wholehearted behind him as he travelled widely to take meetings. On moving to Bangor she and her husband had many happy years of fellowship with the saints at Central Hall. She was tireless in support of missionaries and, like Dorcas, was adept with the needle. For the last ten years of her life she was lovingly cared for at Faith House, and when able she fellowshipped with the saints at Bethany. She was predeceased by her husband and her only son Douglas, and is survived by her daughter Hazel who was very loving and caring in her devotion to her. G Parks paid tribute and S Thompson spoke words of comfort and gospel at the service of thanksgiving at Bethany for her life.
Mr Robert (Bob) Prentice Rennie, in his 105th year. It pleased the Lord, on 2nd June, to take down this tabernacle with great care. Bob was saved and baptised at the age of 15 and enjoyed assembly fellowship for over 89 years. He often spoke of the encouragement he and other young men received from elder brethren in these early days in Linwood, his home town, to speak a word for their Saviour in open air testimony, tract distribution, gospel preaching, and, later, ministry of the Word. Bob continued this exercise in Kilbarchan following his marriage there to Helen Syme in 1941. In 1994 Bob and Helen moved to Buckie to be near family. Again, Bob maintained great interest in assembly activity and open air witness, helping, occasionally, neighbouring assemblies. Daughters Isabel and Helen are grateful to Eric Riddoch and Alex McGregor, Buckie, and John Parker and George Hunter, Kilbarchan, for well-chosen words at the burial service.
Mrs Rosetta (Netta) Taggart, aged 95, went to be with Christ on 7th June. Saved at the age of 18, she was later baptised and received into fellowship in Ballinaloob assembly. In 1949, after moving home with her family, Netta and her husband went into fellowship in Glengormley assembly. For the past 30 years she has been a member of the assembly at Kingsmoss. She was a faithful believer, who loved the Lord and His work, people, and assembly. She took an active and prayerful interest in all assembly activities and members and maintained that interest even when she was ill and unable to gather with the believers. Our sister was a source of much encouragement and cheer to all who visited her. She had a great love for her large family - children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren - and spent much time praying that they would all be saved. Her large funeral was attended by many family and friends and S Jennings, S McGowan, F Sweeney, and R Lewis shared in the funeral services. Prayer is requested for our sister’s two daughters, son, and all the family circle, particularly those who are still unsaved.
