Miss Sarah (Sadie) Barnes, aged 86, passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on 3rd May. She was saved as a girl aged 11 in 1939 attending Gospel Meetings in Sherrygroom Orange Hall (near Cookstown) conducted by the late Mr David Leathem. Shortly thereafter she was baptised and received into the assembly at Tullylagan, moving only to Cookstown assembly in 2008 when she moved into sheltered accommodation. She was a faithful attender at all the assembly gatherings, and had a great love for the gospel and the Lord's people. During her illness, which she bore with grace, fortitude and dignity, she was confined to a nursing home. Her funeral in Cookstown Gospel Hall was conducted by B Taylor, W Lamont, and M McMenemy and at the graveside by B Glendinning and R Nelson. The very large gathering at her funeral bore testimony to the very high esteem in which she was held. Prayer is requested for her extended family.
Mrs Edna Brandon (Newberry) passed into the presence of her Lord on 22nd March in her 87th year. Edna was converted whilst carrying out nurse training in the 1940s in London and from then on lived out a life that was to the glory of God, the blessing of God's people, and doing good to all both in her local neighbourhood and by supporting missionary activity throughout the world. Her life was marred by great tragedies: her husband Joseph and twin sons were tragically drowned whilst fishing off the rocks near Aberdeen. She worked so hard faithfully bringing up the three remaining children. Many years later she married Mr Harry Brandon who sadly passed away not long after. Despite these and other heartbreaks she followed her Lord consistently and closely for many years. She was a true example to all the people of God: always keen to study the Scriptures, to seek to work them out in her daily life, and ready to do anything for anyone and that with a deep interest and keen sense of humour. She was a pillar in the local Gospel Hall in Inverurie.
Mr Jack Crawford was called home on 6th May, aged 99. Jack trusted Christ as his Saviour in his mid twenties during his first ever gospel meetings. After working in Londonderry for some years, Jack returned with his family to Ballymena in 1965 where he was received into the Wellington Street assembly (now located in Cambridge Avenue). His wife Ruby died in 1947. A quiet brother, he was much appreciated for his prayerful interest and support of all the assembly activities. He married May in 1977 and they had 37 happy years together. After a family burial in Antrim, a service of thanksgiving was held in Cambridge Avenue Gospel Hall. His son John gave a family tribute, with M Radcliffe bringing words of comfort from the Scriptures. Local brethren shared in the service. Prayer is requested for his wife May, his son John, and his daughter Jennifer and their families.
Mrs Maud Harkness, on 10th April, in her 79th year, in hospital after a short illness. Our dear sister coped for a number of years with health problems that caused difficulties for her from time to time. Since her marriage to the late Wesley over fifty years ago Maud lived in the one dwelling and never set her sights too high as far as modern lifestyles were concerned. She had a contented personality, and the basic things of life were sufficient. The mother of Grace, Ruth and Paul, and the proud grandmother of ten well-behaved grandchildren, two brothers predeceased her leaving a sister remaining. Maud was saved at meetings in Cookstown conducted by Mr Paisley and the late Mr Wallace at the age of thirteen. For a good number of years Wesley and Maud were in fellowship in the assembly at Killycurragh, and after Wesley's decease she gathered with the saints at Cookstown, 200 yards from her then home. A faithful attender at meetings, a good example for a younger generation to imitate, she had great ability with her hands in sewing and contributing practically in spiritual things, having a keen interest in missionary work. Her means of transport was a bicycle on which she travelled far and near to the very end. She was a keen gardener, and had a good testimony manifested by a very large funeral conducted by D Glasgow, R Nelson, and W Taylor.
Mr Thomas Hutchinson, aged 66, went to be with Christ on 13th October after a short illness which was patiently borne. Tommy was saved as a young man of 16, baptized, and later received into the assembly at Cambridge Avenue where he remained faithful until his homecall. A brother given to prayer, he loved the gospel and liberally supported the spread of it. The very large gathering at the funeral service in which J Fleck, J Parkinson, T McNeill and J McCormick had part, reflected the very high esteem in which he was held. He is survived by his wife Sally, son Andrew, and daughter Lynsey.
Mrs Elizabeth McFeeters, aged 84, was called home to be with the Lord on 23rd April. A native of Strabane, Elizabeth was saved as a young woman. She, with her late husband David, were in the Glenburn assembly in Belfast for a time, but for the past 50 years she was in happy fellowship in the Comber Road assembly in Dundonald, where she was most faithful, highly esteemed, and given to hospitality. Her funeral service was conducted by D Gillespie and G Hall. Prayer would be appreciated for her son David and the family circle.
Mr David (Davy) Peacock, aged 91 years, went home to Heaven peacefully on 29th December. He was the youngest of eight boys and was taught the gospel since childhood. He attended meetings conducted by Mr W P Nicholson in Cullybackey Methodist Church and on 18th September, 1948 trusted the Lord Jesus Christ. Davy was a very unassuming man, whose source of joy was in the knowledge that he had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved his family selflessly and in early days he worked hard to provide for them. As a faithful member of Ballymena Gospel Hall he attended all the assembly meetings until weakness in the last few years made it impossible. This was something he missed greatly. The funeral on 1st January was well attended by many family and friends and conducted by J Fleck, P McMullan, J Parkinson, and I McLean. Davy will be greatly missed by his family but they are comforted in the knowledge that he is with Christ which is far better.
