In view of the number of obituary notices the publishers are expected to insert we would ask those who submit them to keep them as succinct as possible.
Mrs Catherine Allen, aged 70, called home on 13th September after a lengthy and trying illness borne with patience and courage. She was saved as a girl of 14 during meetings by the late Hawthorne Bailie in Comber, and was for many years in fellowship there. Following her marriage to Mr Tom Allen she enjoyed fellowship with the saints in Carrickfergus and later in the Sandringham assembly. She endeared herself to all with her winsome manner and smile and she will be sorely missed by both visiting preachers and local Christians for she was given to liberal hospitality. Prior to her homecall she had made all her own funeral arrangements which were carried out as she requested. The funeral was shared by Tom Meekin and John Fleck with prayers and tribute by local brethren Sam Scott and Jack Hamilton and her nephew Drew Allen. The hall at Sandringham, together with a marquee erected alongside, was filled in a fitting tribute to the memory of a Christian lady. Prayer will be valued for her husband Tom, sons Kenneth and Philip (and his wife Jennifer and family), and her daughter Ruth who will all miss her sorely.
Mrs Myrtle Black (née Totten), aged 65, passed peacefully from her home into the presence of the Lord on 26th September after a long illness patiently borne. She was saved on the 4th April, 1966, two days after her twentieth birthday, while attending gospel meetings conducted by W J Nesbitt and James Walmsley, in Drumlone Gospel Hall. She was soon received into fellowship in the assembly in the town of Monaghan where the family lived. On her marriage to Jim Black she was received into the Ballyshiel, Co Armagh assembly, where she continued with him as an active and consistent member until her homecall. They had the joy of seeing their two sons Ashley and Norman saved. A very large company, including many unsaved, heard the gospel clearly preached at the graveside in Monaghan by W J Nesbitt. David Morgan concluded with words of comfort and prayer.
Mr Willie Black was called home on 16th September. Mr Black along with his late wife came to Central Gospel Hall, Irvine after the closure of the Vaults Lane Mission Hall in Kilwinning. They were received into fellowship on 2nd July, 2000. Mr Black’s contribution was always well received especially as he worshipped on a Lord’s Day morning. His last few weeks were spent in hospital from where the Lord called him home. He is survived by his son Billy and his wife Jane and their children and grandchildren.
Mrs Helen Chandler, aged 93, was called home on 8th October. Since 1959 she had been in happy fellowship in Comber Road assembly, Dundonald, where her husband, the late John Chandler, was a founder member. Unable to attend the meetings in recent years, she was a resident in Kirk House and latterly in Ratheane Nursing Home, Coleraine. The funeral service was conducted by J G Hutchinson, I Brown and G Hall. Prayer is valued for her daughter Sheila and the family circle.
Mrs Dora Emerson, aged 80, went to be with Christ on 18th September. She was saved as a girl of 13 when Joseph Glancey had meetings in Hanover Street Gospel Hall, Portadown in 1944, and she was later baptised and received into fellowship there. She married Jack in 1956 and together they sought to be a help in the things of God. For the last 35 years she was in fellowship with the assembly at Scotch Street, Portadown where she was faithful at the meetings, and hospitable to the Lord’s people. She was a happy Christian woman who loved a bit of humour. Sadly, all that changed as Alzheimer’s took a grip. She was cared for so devotedly by her husband Jack and family, during the past 7 years. Many attended her funeral when words of comfort and gospel were spoken by N Emerson and R Pickering, with a fitting tribute from her son Derek, while J Boyd and C Morrison shared in prayer.
Mr Robert Eunson, aged 76, called home to be with his Lord and Saviour on 8th October after a long illness bravely borne. Bob, as he was affectionately known, was saved as a young man at the age of 20 on 23rd October, 1955 in Hebron Hall, Aberdeen. Hearing the gospel message, and being convicted of his sin, he trusted Christ as his personal Saviour. It was not too long before he saw the truth of baptism and then assembly fellowship. Bob identified himself with the believers meeting in Fountain Hall where he remained for almost 56 years. He was a brother dearly beloved, faithful and consistent, and had a great love for the Word of God, the assembly, and the gospel. He bore a bright testimony right to the end. Prayer is requested for his wife Ann, daughter Elaine, and son Paul and the grandchildren.
Mrs Hetty Johnston, aged 79, was called home peacefully from her own home on 28th September to be with her Lord, after being ill for over four months. She was saved in Belfast as a girl of 12 years, baptised and received into Cregagh Street assembly where she remained until her marriage. Hetty was a faithful member of the Plantation Street/Harley Street assembly, Glasgow for over 52 years, during which time she was consistent in life, endeavouring, in her capacity, to uphold Scriptural principles. She supported the gospel and ministry, not only at home, but also attended meetings and conferences in other assemblies whenever possible. It was an honour for her to entertain many of the Lord’s people and servants from far and near. After her family of four were older she spent much time for several years proof-reading Christian books etc. for Gospel Tract Publications. The large funeral was a tribute to the respect in which she was held. Hetty had discussed the arrangements for her funeral beforehand and had chosen the hymns which were sung. She will be missed in the assembly and by the family, including her 10 grandchildren.
Mrs Matilda Kennedy, aged 92 years, called home on 17th September. Saved as a young girl while attending gospel meetings conducted by our late brethren J Stewart and D Craig in the Braid Valley, she was later baptised and received into fellowship in the Wellington Street assembly Ballymena (now Cambridge Avenue). She remained there until her marriage to Mr W Kennedy, and was then commended to the Buckna assembly. Tillie remained faithful in attendance while health permitted, and for the past ten years was cared for in a residential home. A Christian lady, she adorned the doctrine and bore a good testimony. The funeral services were shared by T McNeill and J Fleck, with brethren J Graham and M McKillen sharing. Pray for her son Samuel and family and her surviving sister.
Mr Thomas McAndrew was born in Glasgow on October, 1915, but following the death of his father was brought to Randalstown, Co Antrim while still a young boy. His mother originally came from that area. At 25 years of age he was saved while attending gospel meetings conducted in Randalstown by Elim/Pentecostal believers. In the early years following his conversion he preached with other brethren in Mission Halls in the locality. In the late 1940s he was received into fellowship with the saints meeting in Ballymacvea Gospel Hall. He was a man with a deep interest in the Scriptures and was greatly appreciated when he and his wife came to the Ormeau/Laganvale assembly in January, 1989. His love for the Scriptures was maintained until his homecall on 6th October, aged 96. The large funeral service was conducted by local brethren at which many friends heard the message of salvation clearly presented. Please pray for his dear wife, Josephine, who is not enjoying good health, and also their two mature sons who are still not saved. Brother Tom is greatly missed.
Miss Sadie McSheffery was called home on 29th September in her 85th year. She was saved and baptised in early life and became a member of Memorial Hall, Kilbarchan until a severe stroke overtook her in 1997. In 2003 she was hospitalised and experienced a protracted illness which was patiently and bravely borne until she passed into the presence of the Lord. The funeral service was conducted by Jim Harrison of Hamilton and at the graveside by Tom Summerhill of Elderslie. The family wish to express thanks to all who attended the services and for kind words and prayers.
Mrs Agnes (Nina) Moore was called into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on 23rd September, aged 74. She was saved at the age of 20 in May, 1956, and in October, 1957 was received into Ballywatermoy Assembly, where she continued until her homecall. Possessed of that meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price, she was faithful and consistent in her attendance at the meetings when health permitted. A sister beloved who will be much missed. Widowed at an early age she brought up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The large numbers attending her funeral bore witness to the esteem in which she was held. The funeral services were conducted by Mr Archie McClean, assisted by local brethren. Prayer is valued for her family of three sons and one daughter.
Miss Roberta Reid, aged 76, on 8th August. Saved as a girl after hearing the gospel preached in children’s meetings in Victoria Hall, Aberdeen, Roberta was later baptised and received into fellowship in that assembly. Her career in the prison service took her to Greenock, Edinburgh and Stirling, where she shared her faith with both prisoners and fellow officers. She was awarded the British Empire Medal, and after retirement she maintained a strong interest in the work of the Prison Fellowship. She spent the last 21 years in fellowship in Kennoway where she was involved in a number of activities. She took a particular interest in, and showed much kindness to, the children in the assembly. She was much loved and greatly respected. She faced her illness with courage, impressing all who came into contact with her. To the very end of her life she spoke to others about her faith in Christ and distributed copies of the Scriptures. A large company gathered for a thanksgiving service. All were challenged by the powerful example of Roberta’s life and death. Her sisters, Moira Summers and Christine Dunbar, the wider family circle, the believers at the Arnot Gospel Hall and her many friends mourn her passing. She will be missed.
