Mrs Elizabeth Jane (Lily) Clyde, aged 98 years, passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on 9th September. She was saved as a young girl of 15 and was later received into Banbridge assembly. Having spent a number of years in the Bedford area of England early in her married life, she returned to the Banbridge assembly where she was a consistent, member for many years. She had a meek and quiet spirit which, in the sight of God, is of great price, had a real love for the Lord and his people and was a fervent supporter of the gospel. Her Christian life was an example to us all. A widow for over 20 years, she was a faithful wife to her husband Raymond, God being pleased to take him home. Our sister will be greatly missed by the saints in Banbridge where she attended faithfully until failing health prevented her from doing so. Her funeral service was conducted by D Radcliffe and J Rogers.
Mrs Eleanor Gamble, aged 83, was called home on 25th August. Eleanor was born and brought up in a non-Christian home in Belfast. After her marriage, she and her husband Davy continued to live in Belfast until the 1970s, when, with their daughters, they moved to Newtownabbey. Eleanor was saved on 28th September, 1979, and about one year later she and Davy (who was saved in 1977) were baptised and went into fellowship in Ballyduff assembly. With her husband and daughter Beth, Eleanor moved to the assembly at Kingsmoss in March 1986. She shared her husband's interest in the spread of the gospel and in her family and had a great desire that all family members would be saved. For many years she had poor health and had not been able to attend assembly meetings for some time. A few years ago Eleanor and her husband Davy moved into residential care. In July, 2012 Davy went home to be with the Lord and was much missed by Eleanor. Her large funeral was conducted by Stanley McGowan and David Connor in the Gospel Hall and by Marriott Coffey and Fred Sweeney at the grave. Prayer is requested for her daughters Lorraine, Beth and Carrie and all the family.
Miss Etta McComb, aged 64, was called home suddenly on 23rd September. As a girl of 15 she was saved, and was later baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly at Bleary, where she continued steadfastly until her home-call. Highly respected in the community as the vice-principal of a large College, even while dealing with the pressures of such a successful career she never lost sight of spiritual values. She was a consistent member of the assembly, rendering sympathetic assistance to both old and young. Etta had a great interest in the gospel, which she supported diligently. A woman of prayer, her godly deportment and influence, that made her very special, will be deeply missed. At her funeral two brethren read the same verse that seemed to summarise an exceptional life of service for the Lord she loved: "this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did" (Acts 9.36). B Currie and J Rogers conducted the funeral services, assisted by local brethren. Prayer is requested for her sorrowing relatives.
Mrs Elizabeth (Bessie) McDowell, aged 80, was called home on 12th July, after a short but trying illness. She had been a widow for 16 years. Although born into a Christian home she was not saved until 2003 at the age of 70. Later the same year she was baptised and received into the Antrim assembly where she enjoyed the fellowship of the Lord's people. She never missed a meeting and, although she lived a good distance from the hall, her car was always the first one there. Bessie endeared herself to the believers by her kind words and interest in the sick and in the families of the believers. She was an avid reader of the Word of God and often during the night hours spent time in prayer. The large gathering in the hall for her funeral service was evidence of the very high regard the assembly members had for her. The service was conducted by J Lennox and S Dawson assisted by local brethren who gave a very fitting tribute to a dear sister in the Lord. Prayer would be appreciated for the family, some of whom are not saved.
Mrs June Moorehead, aged 64, was called home, suddenly and unexpectedly, on 10th July - a great loss to her loving husband Harry and her sons Adrian and Malcolm, as wel as to the saints in Antrim assembly where she with Harry fellowshipped for over 40 years. June was saved at the age of 14 during gospel meetings conducted by the late Mr Alec Lyttle, and later baptised and received into the assembly in Newtownstewart. Following her marriage to Harry they came to live in Antrim. Shortly afterwards June was diagnosed with arthritis which became a chronic and increasingly debilitating condition - pain and disability were her constant companions. However she was never heard to complain but rather focused on what she could do rather that what she could not. She knew her Lord intimately and experienced His daily grace in a special way. His presence was real to her and could be felt by all who visited her. All will remember her warm smile, the calls and texts to others who were unwell, the deep love and care shared between Harry and June, and the devotion to Christ of a truly outstanding sister in the Lord. Lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her family circle and the entire assembly at Antrim.
Mrs Christa Ross of St Andrews and Cyprus was called home on 7th August, aged 90. After her husband Ian's homecall she spent her latter years being cared for in Limassol, but many will remember her from her time in St Andrews. She married Ian in her native Germany in 1949. She was saved at the Billy Graham campaign in Glasgow in 1955, and her letter to Ian, at that time serving with the army in Aden, was used to bring him to salvation. After several overseas postings which included Cyprus they settled in St Andrews in 1974 where they nurtured the small assembly, encouraged many students, and maintained an effective work for the Lord. Mrs Ross had her own unique and courageous style of witness, regularly and in all weathers out with a text on display and her handful of tracts in different languages on offer at every civic and university event. On the streets of that ancient town she was without a doubt "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord". She even featured in the university handbook for new students advising them that they would likely meet this lady who would ask them whether they had been born again! She was an unfailing support to Ian in all aspects of their life together, not least in the establishing and support of the Logos School in Cyprus, all the while being also a loving mother to their three sons and their daughter who died at the age of 18. Her funeral services were held in Logos School and her body laid to rest beside Ian's in the cemetery at Erimi, awaiting the resurrection and the day of reward.