Mr Henry Buchan, aged 82, was called home on 5th September. Our brother suffered a stroke at the Lord's Supper on 9th August and was taken to hospital from the meeting. Further strokes followed until his earthly tabernacle was taken down. Henry was well known by the fishermen of Peterhead and neighbouring ports during his working life as a plumber. He specialised in working on board boats and earned a high reputation for hard work and reliability. Henry was saved when a young man and was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly at Prince Street Hall, Peterhead in 1951. He was a very modest and quiet brother, but a keen reader and student of Scripture. In private conversation he could shed light upon portions of Scripture in a manner very beneficial to younger brethren. Though a bachelor, Henry had a great interest in children particularly his nephews and nieces. He will be greatly missed by them, by his sister, and in the assembly.
Mr James Clarke, aged 86, after a short illness and while in his sleep, passed suddenly into the presence of the Lord on 6th July. James was saved at meetings conducted by H S Paisley in 1964 and received into fellowship in Ballymena Gospel Hall. He married Miss Eileen Moore from the Ballinaloob assembly and they were blessed with two daughters; Noeleen Hogg, Sarnia, Canada and Hazel Howe, Limavady; both of whom are saved and in assembly fellowship. James was very fond of all his nine grandchildren. He farmed in the Moorfields area and was a very faithful brother especially in the local gospel testimony in Tully where he was always in his place on the first Lord's Day of each month. He and Eileen attended all the assembly meetings. His large funeral service was conducted by M McKillen, A Steele and M Hogg in Ballymena Gospel Hall. Prayer is requested for all the family who have been shocked by James' sudden passing, especially his widow Eileen who has, because they lived in Broughshane, decided it wise to move to the assembly in that village.
Miss Margaret Cordiner, aged 84, was called home on 14th August, a few days after suffering a stroke. She was eldest in the large family of the late Andrew and Jessie Cordiner. In her early life Margaret showed maturity and a sense of responsibility in helping her mother with the younger children. She trained as a nurse and gained excellent qualifications and went on to fill posts of increasing responsibility until she became a Senior Nursing Officer. Though personally modest she was very highly regarded by her professional colleagues. Margaret was saved when seven years old, and was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead in May, 1947. She bore a bright and consistent Christian testimony in the town and maintained a keen interest in the Lord's work at home and abroad. Margaret was an encourager. Much loved by her brothers and sister and their families, she will be sadly missed by them and in the assembly.
Miss Jean Farquhar, aged 80, was called home suddenly but peacefully on 6th September. Jean was saved as a young girl after attending Gospel Meetings in Fountain Hall, Woodside, Aberdeen. The truth of baptism and obedience to her Lord's command was brought to bear upon her, so at the age of 14, she was baptised and received into assembly fellowship where she remained for the rest of her life. Jean never moved far from the Gospel Hall or from the area in which she was brought up. Jean had a keen interest in the assembly and its activities as well as in missionary work. Over a good number of years she experienced health problems which included operations, and for the last 15 months she was unable to attend the assembly gatherings. The gospel was faithfully presented in the Hall and words of comfort given at the graveside.
Mrs Agnes McAllister (Ballymoney) passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on 1st November. Agnes was saved as a young lady of 19 while attending tent meetings, the words of Acts 16.31 bringing relief to her burdened soul. She was a quiet, reserved Christian lady, faithful to the assembly and the gospel in her area for 50 years, highly esteemed by all, and steadfast and diligent right to her home call. She will be greatly missed by her daughter Fiona who has been a constant help and support to her mother and they were inseparable since the passing of husband Desmond 31 years ago. J Fleck, D Hutchinson, T McCaughan, J Harkness, R Love and J Rogers all shared in her funeral services. The large company that gathered showed the great respect in which our dear sister was held. Many unsaved who would not be accustomed to hearing the glorious message of God's great plan of salvation heard the gospel.
Mrs Mary (Molly) McAnulty, aged 98, passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on 25th October. Our esteemed sister was saved on 17th April, 1942 being awakened to her great need of salvation and finding relief from her burden of sin by receiving Christ as her personal Saviour, John 1.12 enlightening her darkened soul, and John 6.37 bringing assurance that she was truly saved. Baptised and received into fellowship to the Newry assembly in January, 1952, she remained there faithfully for almost 60 years, then moved to a residential home in Armagh where she resided until her homecall. She was a most treasured and very active member in the Newry assembly, faithful at all the meetings, supporting the gospel efforts locally and often bringing unsaved to hear the glorious gospel, some of whom God was pleased to save; she was often described as a true mother in Israel. She witnessed on every occasion to all with whom she came in contact, desiring that they would trust the Saviour whom she knew and loved. A fervent reader of the Scriptures and a lady much given to prayer, Molly was a frequent supporter of many missionaries, with whom she kept in touch continually. She experienced much sorrow in her life, being pre-deceased by all her siblings and also by two of her children, Derek and Heather, and her husband John. She was a lady stong in faith and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her funeral service was conducted by D Hutchinson, P Bradley, C Rogers and J Rogers. Prayer is requested for some of her family who as yet know not the Saviour.
Mrs Ann Nugent, aged 57, was called home on 25th October, following a long illness patiently borne. She was saved as a girl of nine at Hanslope, England, and moved to Belfast upon her marriage. The funeral from Bloomfield Gospel Hall was conducted by D Hawthorne, D Gilliland, P Scarsbrook and J Rogers. She leaves a husband, a son and a daughter.
