Mr Andrew Buchan, aged 87, was called home to be with the Lord on 2nd June. Reared in a Christian home, Andy, as he was affectionately known to all, was saved in early life and baptised and received into fellowship in 1949 in the assembly meeting in Prince St Hall, Peterhead. He was a marine engineer, and after serving on Peterhead fishing boats he went to Canada where for some years he worked on tankers on the Great Lakes until returning to Peterhead in the early sixties. Andy was of a quiet disposition but enjoyed the fellowship of the Lord’s people and the gatherings of the assembly while health and strength permitted. Although a widower for the last 11 years, he remained unfailingly cheerful. He is greatly missed by his only daughter Helen and her family.
Mrs Jeannie Fulton was called home on 1st May in her 99th year. Like many of her generation, in her youth she followed the herring fishings and worked hard, gutting herring in Peterhead and in other ports including Scarborough and Great Yarmouth. She was saved as a young woman and baptised and received to the fellowship of the assembly meeting in Prince St Hall, Peterhead, and later, with her husband Sydney, in York St Hall. Although Sydney and Jeannie were not blessed with children of their own they enjoyed the company of young people and showed great kindness to their wider family. Through her 37 years of widowhood Jeannie was marked by a quiet Christian dignity. She continued faithfully in her attendance at assembly gatherings until the frailty of old age made it no longer possible. During the last 12 years of her life she was cared for in a nursing home from whence she went to be with her Lord.
Mr George Machray, aged 92, was called to be with his Lord on 20th May after a brief illness. Saved as a boy of 13, he was thereafter baptised and received into assembly fellowship. Throughout his long life, along with his late wife Margaret, George enjoyed fellowship in various assemblies before moving to Bethany Hall, Gourock where he was in happy fellowship for over 40 years. Our brother was a very practical man and indeed was involved in the building of the hall itself at Gourock. He was a large part of our outreach work among children which he supported diligently and where he kept the singing going with his piano accordion.
Mrs Jane Hunter Millar went to be with the Lord on 7th August in her 100th year. Saved in 1954 at meetings conducted by the late Mr A McShane, she was later baptised by him, and received into Newtownstewart Assembly. She was faithful in attendance at all the assembly gatherings and was a devoted, dignified, Christian lady, greatly loved by the saints, given to hospitality, like Pheobe, and a succourer of many. She loved the gospel, having an interest in souls. A large crowd of saved and unsaved (an evidence of the esteem in which she was held) attended the funeral service, which was conducted by Mr D McGarvey, Mr James Beattie, and Mr J Lennox. Prayer requested for the family, some not yet saved.
Mr Gordon D Ramsay, aged 83, was called home on 26th July. He committed his life to Christ during student days at Cambridge, and was brought into fellowship at Panton Hall. During a decade in East Africa he gave much help to full-time workers there. Returning to the UK, he shared responsibility at Mitchley Hill Chapel, Surrey, before retirement to Callander, Perthshire and happy fellowship with the believers at Doune. He was steadfast in his witness, and practical in his support of the Lord’s work and servants.
Mrs Yvonne Thompson, aged 77, called home on 30th June. Saved as a girl of 14 at meetings held by Mr David Craig in Wallace Avenue Gospel Hall, Lisburn, she was baptised in Sydney, Australia during time spent there with her family. Returning after 6 years she was received into Lisburn Assembly. Along with her husband Samuel (who predeceased her in 1999) she was a regular attender at assembly meetings until unable some months ago. Mr Malcolm Radcliffe conducted her funeral services. Yvonne will be much missed by 2 sisters, their husbands and 5 nephews, some of whom remain unsaved.
Mr Stanley Veitch, aged 92, called home on 29th June. Following conversion in his youth, he was baptised and received into the fellowship of the Lisbellaw assembly in Co Fermanagh where he was in fellowship for many years until his homecall. He was a practical brother who devoted much time to the practical needs of the assembly and was faithful in attendance at all the assembly meetings until declining health prevented him. He is missed by the assembly and his family circle. Prayer is requested for his widow. His large funeral was conducted by Mr J Balmer with local brethren assisting.
