Mrs Elizabeth Aiken, aged 87, of Guelph, Ontario, on 3rd August. Our sister was saved as a teenager during cottage meetings near Carnlough, County Antrim, N Ireland in December, 1939. In 1957 Elizabeth, her late husband Andrew, and their four children emigrated to Canada and planted their roots in the Guelph assembly. For 51 years they were very faithful to the assembly and giving to the Lord’s work. Elizabeth is survived by her four children, 9 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn Magee of N. Ireland. The funeral service was conducted by Mr Frank Sona.
Mr Andrew Fair, aged 88, was called home to be with his Lord on 9th November. He passed away peacefully at home after a long illness borne with great patience. Our brother was saved when he was thirteen years of age and was baptised and received into fellowship in New Stevenston Assembly. He married Mary McLuckie in 1947, and they set up home in Corby where Andrew was working. They were married for almost 62 years and God blessed them with two daughters who were also saved. He loved to preach the gospel and give out tracts which he did as long as he was able and he also loved to sing. Due to his work they moved around and were in fellowship in a number of assemblies before finally coming to Overtown Assembly in 2001, where they remained in happy fellowship. Our brother loved to gather with the saints to remember our Lord. He was a brother beloved and will be greatly missed. The large company at his funeral spoke well of the high esteem in which he was held. Prayer is requested for his wife and extended family.
Mr Edward Geddes, aged 79, was called home on 21st September. Eddie was saved as a young man the first time he heard the gospel in Cullen. After living in Portessie for 7 years and Cullen for 20 years, they moved to Peterhead and endeared themselves to the assembly at York Street. Eddie was a brother beloved, and his evenness, warmth of personality, and gracious maturity of advice earned him the respect of the assembly. As an elder, he was apt to teach. For around twenty years he had a serious heart problem which kept him housebound. During this time he was lovingly cared for by his wife Rennie and family and displayed a patient spirit, in spite of real weakness. He leaves a lovely example of Christian grace.
Mr William Graham, aged 85, was called home on 17th November. He was saved as a young man over 60 years ago, baptised, and received into assembly fellowship in Lungs. After some years, he and his wife moved to Ballinamallard to live. He was a faithful member of Ballinamallard assembly for over 30 years. Of a quiet disposition, he was a respected elder, and correspondent for a number of years. He will be greatly missed, as he and his wife were true helpers in the work of the Lord. Willie was always present at assembly meetings until his health began to fail during the past months. The death of his dear wife, Massie, in November, 2005, was a severe loss to him. There was a large attendance at the funeral service which was conducted by W Bell, J Wishart, J Strahan, and D McGarvey. Prayer is valued for his sister, brothers, nieces and nephews.
Mrs Ella Grant, aged 74, called home on 16th November after a short illness. She was saved, aged 18, while attending gospel meetings conducted by Mr T Wallace and Mr J Stewart. A few months later she was received into fellowship in the Banbridge assembly. In 1954 she married George Grant, and they were in fellowship in Newry assembly before moving to Lisburn and the assembly in Wallace Avenue. They moved to Bangor in 1971 and remained in happy fellowship in the Central Hall Assembly until the Lord called her home. Mrs Grant was a person of exemplary Christian character who delighted in the things of God. She faced her short illness with characteristic confidence in the Lord. She is survived by her husband George, her daughters Rachel, Margaret, Mary, Pauline and her son Cecil. Her son Herbie predeceased her in 2003. At the service of thanksgiving R Pickering and V Grattan spoke words of comfort and challenge. She will be greatly missed.
Mrs Sarah (Sadie) Hancock, aged 80, called home on 17th November. Our sister was saved in 1964 in Gospel Meetings in Shanaghan and later moved to Lurgan where she was an asset in the assembly until her home call. Of a quiet disposition, she adorned the doctrine by her meek spirit and consistent attendance at, and interest in, the meetings of the assembly. After considerable suffering in the final stages of her life, her home call was a welcome release from many difficulties of ill health. She is missed both in the assembly and in her family where her prayers and godliness were an influence for good. Her funeral services were conducted by D Gilliland and T H Matthews (Brazil).
Mrs Irene McKnight, aged 80 years, was called home on 26th December after quite a struggle with terminal illness. Originally from Banbridge, our sister was saved as a young woman of 19 when, after a time of deep conviction, she found rest in coming to Christ through John 6.37. Later she came to live in the Lurgan area where she became a valued and steadfast member of the assembly until her home call. With her quiet manner she was always pleasant in her coming in and going out amongst the saints. She is the second member of the assembly to be called home within a period of six weeks, and will be greatly missed. A fitting and respectful funeral service was conducted by local brethren.
Mrs Anne Mair, aged 76, went to be with Christ on 12th November, after a time of illness. She was saved in October, 1951, baptised and added to the assembly in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead. Anne had an attractive caring spirit and an interest in the welfare of others. She faithfully tended to her husband in his illness, and was a loving mother. She enjoyed the assembly gatherings and was always ready to give a word of appreciation and encouragement. Her children arise up, and call her blessed.
Mr William (Bill) Orbinson, aged 79, was called home on 12th December at the Overslade Nursing Home, Rugby, after a prolonged illness borne patiently and with dignity. Bill was born and raised in Waringstown, Co Down to godly parents within the local assembly. From an early age he was found under the sound of the gospel mainly at the Waringstown Assembly. Bill was saved in 1959 after some time of deep conviction, and a few weeks after his wife Vera. Soon after, they were baptised and received into fellowship at the Waringstown Assembly, where they remained in happy fellowship until 1972, when they moved to Rugby. They joined the assembly in Rugby where together they strove for the furtherance of the gospel and remained in fellowship until Bill’s homecall. The funeral service was conducted by Mr G Clark at the Gospel Hall in Rugby which was very well attended. Many of the congregation were unsaved but listened attentively as the gospel was presented. Prayer is requested for his wife Vera and family circle in the Rugby area, his brother Norman and wife Evelyn in Larne, Co Antrim, and for members of the family circle, still not saved.
Mr Harry Peden, aged 96, went to be with his Lord on 23rd November. Saved in October, 1942 when Fred Bingham was preaching at Ballykeel (Lough Road), she was later baptised and received into the assembly there, and for the last forty years was with the Mullafernaghan assembly. A man who worked hard to raise a large family, but also had a deep interest in spiritual things and a great love for the gospel which he sought to support in every way, and right to the close of his long life he was a real encourager to those who preached it. His funeral was conducted by S Barr and R Pickering with others sharing in prayer, and many heard the gospel. Prayer is valued for all his family circle.
Mr Douglas Pierce, aged 71, on 16th December. Saved as a boy of 11, Douglas was received into the Kingsbridge Assembly. He was then in the Ballymacashon Assembly for four years and for the past 44 years was in fellowship in Bloomfield. He was an able gospel preacher and a consistent and regular attender at all the assembly meetings where he contributed helpfully until a few years before he died. For several years he was unable to be present due to Parkinson’s disease. Despite this he maintained a good interest in the assembly and spiritual matters. His manner of life was a testimony to all who knew him. Douglas was held in high esteem by friends, family and neighbours, many of whom attended his funeral. W Mayhew, W Pauley, C Gaw, and S Hawthorne shared in the services. Please remember his widow, daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons, some of whom are out of Christ.
Mrs Madge Stephen, aged 87, was called home in September. Madge and her husband Andrew were saved on the same night in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead. They were later baptised and added to the assembly in York Street in 1965, where they continued steadfastly. Andrew’s sudden death in 1984 was very painful for her and she constantly spoke about him. She had frail health with many stays in hospital, where she witnessed to others. Her faith was strong and her spirit was bright in spite of weakness. She was lovingly cared for by her only daughter who waits for that day of reunion.
Mr Herbert Thompson, aged 93, was called home to be with his Lord on 29th November. He was saved on 6th February, 1944. Some six months later he was baptised, and received into fellowship in New Road Assembly, Portavogie, where he continued steadfastly, and for many years was an elder. Our brother loved the Lord, and his people, and was a good supporter of the gospel. The large funeral was a token of the respect he held in the area. The funeral services were shared by brethren T McNeill, S Ferguson, and J Rogers. Prayer valued for the large family circle, many of whom are not saved.
Miss Mary Catherine (Minnie) Usher, age 89 years. Saved in February, 1931, she was baptised and received into the assembly at Matchett Street in 1933, where she remained until 1971. Moving to Newtownabbey, she faithfully attended the Whitehouse Assembly until September, 2009 when she moved to Faith House where she was happy and lovingly cared for until she went to be with the Lord on 23rd December. Minnie requested that the gospel take precedence at her funeral. Whitehouse Gospel Hall was packed on 26th December where the word was spoken by M McKillen with F Sweeney at the graveside. G Wallace gave tribute to Minnie’s life with D Brown praying. Prayer requested for her niece Margaret Blair and husband Robert, their son Philip and daughter Miriam in Canada.
Mr Jim Whitefield passed to be with his Lord on 9th December, 2008. He was in fellowship for over 40 years with believers in Knightswood, where he was the organist and presenter, then subsequently in Linwood, Bethesda Hall, Linthouse, and latterly at Hope Hall, Lesmahagow where he enjoyed happy fellowship. He is survived by his wife Molly, daughters Elizabeth and Myra, and son John, and they would like to thank all who took part in the funeral service and for prayerful support.
