Mrs Peggy Emerson, aged 87, went home to heaven on 21st December. She was saved on 14th June, 1945 at Ardmore when Bob Neill (South Africa) preached the gospel. She was later baptised and received into the assembly there, where she remained all her life. She loved the meetings and put her best into the assembly, and was a woman of immense spiritual stature with a love for the Lord and His Word. She had a great care for believers whatever their background, speaking to all about the Lord and the Scriptures, praying for family, friends, and neighbours. Always desiring God’s best for her six sons and one daughter, with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she loved them all dearly. Over the years, with her late husband Norman, their home was opened to the Lord’s people, showing hospitality, and encouraging younger Christians. Truly she has left a real spiritual legacy, a bright testimony. The hundreds who came to her funeral on a cold Christmas Eve day was a tribute in itself. Her funeral services were conducted by R Pickering when words of comfort and words of challenge in the gospel were given. Also sharing were three of her sons, Norrie, Alan, and Philip, with her brother Jack and nephew Wesley Emerson.
Mrs May Hughey, aged 87, went to be with Christ on 17th January. She and her late husband, Nixon, were saved while attending gospel meetings in Strabane Gospel Hall conducted by Mr Frank Knox in 1947. They were later baptised and received into the assembly there where they ever sought to support the gospel, and encourage those who preached it. She was pre-deceased by her husband in 1986. Mrs Hughey was a woman of prayer, and her home was always open to the Lord’s servants. She will be sadly missed by the small assembly where she remained faithful until one week before her homecall. Her large funeral was conducted by Mr W J Nesbitt, Mr David McGarvey, and Mr Gilbert Stewart. Prayer is requested for the family circle.
Mr Sam Jamieson, aged 85, on 5th December, at hospital after five months of illness. Sam had no knowledge of the gospel until his early twenties. He went to hear a man, Billy O’Connell, tell his story of conversion from Roman Catholicism to Christ, with a view to helping to persuade his then girlfriend to turn from such to be a Protestant. He came away with a deep conviction of sin and was saved a short time later. His girlfriend was also saved at that time. They married and met, firstly, with the believers in the local Baptist Church. After several years they joined the assembly of believers in Coleraine Gospel Hall, where they were greatly given to hospitality. Sam was a faithful brother and elder, who was very interested in, and contributed to, all aspects of assembly life. He had a consistent testimony both inside and outside of the assembly. He loved the gospel, and evangelising was his life. For many years he conducted a children’s work in his home and he also preached every Saturday in the town centre, while his health allowed. However, his greatest talent was his ability to turn an everyday conversation round to the gospel. His employment took him into many people’s homes and they benefited not only from his expertise in his work but also from a timely message about the need for repentance and faith in Christ. He witnessed to all he met during his extended stay in hospital. The very large funeral was testament to the esteem in which he was held, by both believer and unbeliever alike. The service was conducted by Mr William Caldwell and Mr W J Nesbitt in the Gospel Hall and by Mr Michael Harper and Mr John Stewart at the graveside. Prayer is requested for his family, who lovingly cared for him during his illness and who feel his loss keenly.
Mr Charles McCutcheon, aged 84, called home on 15th January. Saved on 12th March, 1942, and later received into the Dunmullan assembly, he was for a short time in Australia where his bride to be, May, joined him, and where they were married. He returned to the home farm and continued in happy fellowship in Dunmullan, helpful and faithful until his homecall. His wife predeceased him in 1998. The large funeral evidenced the esteem in which he was held and was conducted by Gary Woods and Jack Lennox. Prayer is valued for his two sons, daughter, and three grandchildren not saved.
Mrs Ada McFarland, in her 86th year, on 6th January. Our sister was saved in 1936 and later received into the Dunmullan assembly. Since 1947 she was a member of the assembly at Fintona until her homecall. She suffered for many years with Multiple Sclerosis, but attended the meetings as long as she was able. In recent years, confined to a large extent, she was carefully and lovingly attended by her husband, who will miss her most. Her funeral was well attended and conducted by W J Nesbitt and J Lennox with others sharing. Prayer requested for her husband and family circle.
