Mrs Mary Grace Anderson, aged 88, suddenly, in hospital, on 13th June after much suffering in her later years. Moving to Scotland from Tyneside in 1952, her last 50 years were spent in happy fellowship in the Grangemouth Assembly. Grace bore her illnesses with great fortitude, and her love for the Lord was evident to all as she sought always to help in the assembly activities. A primary school teacher, she was a gracious sister of a quiet, and friendly disposition, whose kindly smile will remain in our memories. Please remember her husband Cliff, sons Peter and Graham, and the families in prayer.
Mrs Margaret Cameron, aged 80, was called home to meet her dear Lord on 6th May following a massive stroke. Our sister was saved by the grace of God at the age of twelve years in Olive Hall, Hamilton under the preaching of the late Robert Scott of Whitburn, and was subsequently baptised and received into assembly fellowship at Hamilton. Margaret and Donald Cameron were married in Olive Hall in June, 1958, by Mr Scott, and they were blessed with four children, Eunice, Euan, Gilmour, and Neil. During their married life they lived in Burnbank, Hamilton, Annathill, Glenboig, and latterly Stepps where they were in happy fellowship with the saints at Muirhead. Our sister Margaret was given to hospitality to the saints and the Lord’s servants right to her last days. "Whose faith follow." Continue to remember the family in prayer, and the grandchildren, Priscilla, Jack and Luke (in America).
Mr Tom Finlay, aged 70. Our brother was called home to be with his Lord on 20th June after a short but serious illness. He was born in the village of Law, saved at the age of 17, and baptised along with his sister Elizabeth a few months later. His wife, Jenny Love, came from Wishaw where they were married in 1964, and they set up home there. God blessed them with a son and daughter who are both saved. They were in happy fellowship in Wishaw and were very active in the assembly. In 1983 they moved home to Overtown, Wishaw and came into fellowship there. Tom was one of those responsible for commencing the work with the Senior Citizens in 1983, a work which still continues, though it is much smaller now. In 1984 he shared in starting a Sunday School but that closed after 10 years due to lack of numbers. He was precentor for 13 years until his throat gave him problems, and he was also the Treasurer for many years. Tom helped a great deal in the Hall renovation around 1990 and again this year after the heating system was frozen and required extensive work. Our brother was a meticulous worker. Tom’s wife Jenny predeceased him by 31/2 years. Due to the limited capacity of Overtown Gospel Hall the funeral service was held in Ebenezer Hall, Wishaw (kindly granted). The large company which attended spoke well of the regard in which our brother was held. Prayer is requested for his family.
Mrs Evelyn Grieve, called home on 24th May in her 95th year. Evelyn was saved in early life and was first in fellowship in Donemana then Newtownstewart, Omagh, Castlereagh and latterly in Carryduff. A spiritual woman who loved her Lord and also had a great interest in His work and people. She, with her husband Alan, who pre-deceased her in 2003, reared a large family who brought them much pleasure. She gave to her husband great support in all his assembly responsibilities and his preaching of the gospel over a wide area of the province. Her large funeral was from Carryduff Gospel Hall where her son Cameron gave a fine family tribute with J G Hutchinson and S Thompson sharing in the services in the hall and the cemetery at Donemana.
Miss Flora Matier, aged 70. Flora emigrated from Glasgow to South Africa with her family when aged 8. She was saved there and added to the Fish Hoek Assembly. She followed a career in nursing, and as a theatre sister assisted Professor Christian Barnard, famous for his pioneering work in heart transplant surgery. Firmly believing that her Christianity should permeate her work she was known for her high standards and compassionate care. Following early retirement for health reasons she returned to Scotland, eventually settling in Cullen and becoming part of the assembly there. Flora’s faith was unfaltering despite increasing and severe health problems. On 8th June our sister was taken suddenly into the presence of the Lord whom she loved.
Mrs Jeannie Reid, aged 93, was called home on 11th June. She had been in failing health for a year or so but still loved to attend the meetings. Our sister was saved in 1944, baptised, and received into fellowship in Fraserburgh. She was always ready to give a word of appreciation and encouragement. Just 2 weeks before she was called home, she was at the gospel meeting, although very frail. Jeannie and her late husband Abbie were held in high regard by many saints. She will be missed by the assembly and her family which were her life.
Mrs Coral Roberts (née McCracken), aged 91, called home on 23rd May. At a young age our sister left home for Belfast. While there she lived with her sister Jessie. During the years in Belfast, after trying some of the world’s pleasures, she was constrained to attend meetings conducted by Mr Hawthorne Baillie in Adam Street Gospel Hall. At the age of 23, after attending the meeting one night on her way home, she decided she would not go into the house until she was saved. As she was walking around the block the light of the glorious gospel shined into her darkened heart through the truth of John 5.24. She later married Alan and eventually moved to Walsall, England. She lived there for about 34 years. In 1980 they moved to Newcastle, Co Down, and in 1984 they moved to the Annalong area. In each of these places she was associated with those who sought to follow the Scriptural pattern. Her husband Alan died in January, 1988. Our dear sister loved the Lord and His people and took a keen interest in all the activities of the assembly, although she was confined to her home these last few years because of fading health and arthritis. She had a deep exercise about the gospel worldwide and she communicated with many who were engaged in the work. Mr Mervyn Wishart, Mr Stanley Haugh, and Mr Sam Thompson officiated in the hall, and Mr Jonathan Bingham and Mr James Agnew at the graveside. Prayer requested for her only son Patrick.
Miss Jean Stephen, aged 79, was called home on 9th June, after an illness borne with courage and dignity. She was a great help to the family after losing her father and brother in the "Quiet Waters" tragedy of 1954. She trusted Christ in her teens and was baptised and added to the assembly in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead. Her life was one of consistency and dependability, having a love for the Lord’s work and missionary service. Many young sisters were helped by Jean’s influence when she took them on holiday and also taught them how to make blankets for the missionary collection at York Street. Perhaps she will be most remembered for her selfless devotion to her aged mother for whom she cared at home and later visited every day in hospital. Truly she rests from her labours and her works do follow her.
