Mr David Boyd, aged 77, was called home to glory on 1st January. He was saved by grace on 13th July, 1953. Shortly after, he was baptised and received into the assembly at Burnside County Antrim. In 1983, he and his wife Mollie moved to the Lisburn area and were received into the Derriaghy assembly. He was a faithful brother and a consistent attender at all the meetings. His contributions to assembly life were highly valued and greatly missed. Deeply concerned about the lost, he laboured tirelessly distributing tracts and calendars, not only locally, but throughout Northern Ireland. He was marked by a care for the Lord's people. The recently published book, A History of Some Assemblies in Ireland, commenced by Wynnfield Hooke, was completed by David. Diagnosed with debilitating cancer in March, 2014, he continued attending all the meetings almost to the end. He is greatly missed by his wife Mollie, daughter Karen, and his sister Marlyn Sherrard, Prestwick. His funeral was taken by E Robinson, T Armstrong, S Maze, J McCaughey and H Porter.
Mr Gerald Carson, aged 83, was called home on 15th February. Saved as a young man, he enjoyed fellowship in the Ballyhackamore assembly, before being commended, with his wife Denise, to the Glenburn assembly in 1963. For more than fifty years he enjoyed the happy fellowship of the saints in Glenburn, where he was an esteemed overseer, with a true love and shepherd-care for the saints. For many years he was Sunday School superintendent. He is missed by the assembly, his children and grandchildren. A large number attended his funeral which was conducted by B Currie and P McCauley, with local brethren assisting.
Mrs Lila Greer (née Kee), aged 92, went to be with Christ on 21st March, after a few months of weakness and suffering. She had been in Ballyclare assembly for over 60 years. Her husband George predeceased her 18 years ago. Lila was born near Ballybofey in Co. Donegal, and at the age of 17 went to train as a nurse in wartime England. She was converted as a 29 year old in Ballyclare and learned for herself, from the Bible, the truth of baptism and gathering in the Lord's Name. Her dedication in the medical field was matched by her total commitment to the things of God. She was widely respected for her quiet and godly ways and her sympathy for all in need. Each year until the end, she distributed many calendars, and kept in touch with many people. Such was her character that a few poems were written about her, one of which was read at the funeral conducted by J Fleck and A McMillan.
Mrs Anna Kells (née Thompson), aged 92, was called home on 14th March. Anna was born in Garvagh, Co. Londonderry, and never lost her love for the countryside and nature. She was saved as a girl under the preaching of Robert Love. She later moved to Belfast for employment in the Civil Service, and married Will in March, 1955. They were members of the Windsor assembly before moving to east Belfast and the assembly at Comber Road, Dundonald, in 1975. Over the past four decades, Anna was a committed and faithful member of the fellowship there: many students, nurses, widows, elderly folk and visiting speakers have enjoyed her hospitality over the years, and she was often found crocheting and knitting items for missionary parcels. The Service of Thanksgiving, in Dundonald Gospel Hall, was conducted by D Johnston, S Jennings and G Hall, with a tribute by her son-in-law Philip Moore. Prayer would be appreciated for her husband Will, daughter Rhoda, Philip, and her granddaughter Rachel.
Mr John Kenny was taken to his heavenly home on 3rd February from Prospect Nursing Home where he had been a patient for four years. John was a faithful member of the assembly at Ballymena for over 40 years. He loved the Scriptures which he studied very carefully, and was committed to seeing the neighbours and friends around the district in which he was brought up reached with the gospel. His wife predeceased him and he is survived by his two daughters. A service of thanksgiving for his life and testimony was held in Cambridge Avenue and was conducted by local brethren.
Mr Thomas (Tommy) Kenny. The Glengormley assembly was saddened to lose this dearly beloved and much respected brother and overseer in his 99th year, when he passed away in Faith House on 18th March. His funeral from Glengormley Gospel Hall was one of the largest in living memory, and the service was shared by his grandson Mark Kenny, who gave a touching family tribute and Ivan Gordon who spoke with feeling and weight. Raymond McNair and Tom Meekin took part in prayer. Wesley Moore and another grandson, Stephen McIlroy, ably shared at the graveside. Although a quiet man whose voice was rarely heard, Tommy left an unblemished testimony. In almost 60 years in Glengormley, and during previous years in the Clonkeen assembly, he was seldom absent. All who took part in his funeral emphasized that he was a godly and faithful man in whom the Christians had absolute confidence that gospel truth and assembly truth would be upheld and maintained by him. The loudest voice he leaves is probably the voice of his family, for few men have contributed more to the spread of the gospel and the furtherance of assembly truth through their family than Tommy Kenny. With almost 100 descendants, his name and that of his late wife will long be remembered with great affection and appreciation. Prayer would be appreciated for some in the family circle not yet saved. A fitting epitaph after nearly 100 years of life would be: "He being dead yet speaketh" (Heb 11.4).
Miss Annie Leighton, aged 89, was called home to be with Christ on 11th March. Our sister was saved in 1987 under the preaching of Mr Tom Moore. She was in fellowship in Ballintoy assembly for 28 years and lived a godly consistent life. Her prayerful interest and regular attendance at all meetings will be sadly missed. The funeral service was conducted by four local brethren. Prayer will be appreciated for her unsaved relatives.
Mrs Hannah Lockhart, aged 93 years, was called home on 12th March. She was born and brought up in Beith and was saved in the Mission Hall in her early teens. She met her future husband, Matt Lockhart at a meeting in the Tent Hall and after marriage they set up home in Barrmill where they were actively involved in the Mission there. A godly couple who were held in high esteem and were marked by sincerity and their deep love for the Lord. They were also given to hospitality among the Lord's people. They had one daughter, Anne, whom they loved dearly. Sadly Matt was called home on 14th October, 1998. Hannah was received into the assembly in Beith in early 1999, and continued until it closed due to depleted numbers. With four other sisters she then moved to Hebron Hall in Glengarnock. After a life of faithful service, Hannah's health deteriorated and her daughter brought her to her home, caring for her until the Lord took her home. A fitting tribute was paid to her at her funeral service.
Mr Albert B Robertson, after a full and happy life in the service of his Lord and Master, passed peacefully into the presence of his Saviour on 6th March at the age of 91. He exercised wisdom in all God's service from the age of 11. Saved at a Gospel Meeting in Market Street Hall, MacDuff, he was baptised at the age of 14, and was received into fellowship with the Churches of God at Union Street Gospel Hall, MacDuff. He was dedicated to the work of God as a young man. He qualified as a Dentist in Glasgow in 1945 and vowed to the Lord that he would return to his assembly in the North-East of Scotland where he became a preacher, teacher and overseer. He spent many years in the Whitehills assembly where he worked in harmony with co-workers until its closure in 2001. He was very interested in work among the young, teenagers, camp work, Sunday School, mid-week youth work and annual Gospel Rallies. He was loved by all whom he met - a good man, and a true Christian whose testimony was known by many at work and in the North-East. The remaining 14 years, five of which were spent with the Gardenstown brethren whom he dearly loved, and the remaining nine years at Fountain Hall, Aberdeen, were fully enjoyed with young and old alike. He leaves his wife Esther who will miss his spiritual encouragement, as will many! Albert also leaves his son Jonathan and daughter Gay, born to his first wife Betty who died in earlier days, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Pray that all his immediate family will follow the Lord with the same dedication as he did - some are still not saved.
Mr Jim Sinclair, aged 91 years, was called home on 17th February. Saved as a boy of 12, Jim's formative years were in Larkhall and Ashgill. In 1949 he married his beloved wife Agnes with whom he enjoyed over 66 years of mutual devotion. Though he served the Lord's people faithfully wherever he was in fellowship, including New Zealand, he was associated mainly with Bethany Hall, Huyton in Liverpool and latterly for almost 30 years at Low Waters in Hamilton. Jim was a true Shepherd of God's people in the assemblies in which the Lord placed him, and was active in gospel preaching and teaching further afield. Along with Agnes, their home was always open to all the saints and they hosted many teachers and preachers to build up the local testimony. Though very busy in these activities he was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather who is sorely missed by all the family. His consistent godly life has left an example for all to follow. Prayer is valued for his dear wife Agnes, who is currently in hospital, and for the family especially those still outside of Christ.
