Mrs Nina Cargill, on 22 September, aged 91. Saved and baptised in her early married life at the same time as her husband, the late Bob, she was, with him, well known for faithfulness to the assembly in St Monans, and for generous hospitality and encouragement to many, young and old, throughout the UK with whom she maintained contact. She was his true "help meet", at one stage posting hundreds of thousands of tracts which Bob had written. Her last year was one of increasing weakness. For the last five months she was cared for in a local hospital, always sure of the Lord’s presence with her but just longing to go to be with Him. "Whose faith follow."
Mrs Margaret Louise Coffey, born on 1st June 1914, and called home on 27th July. Saved in 1948 when W Mullan came to a Mission Hall on the Harbour Road, Portavogie. A few months later, when Mr Allen from Victoria Hall, Belfast held a week of ministry in Ebenezer Assembly, she was baptised with her husband, and was very faithful to the assembly. She was out at the meetings a few weeks before her homecall, and had the joy of seeing all her family saved, and some grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr T Wallace and Mr S Wishart spoke at the hall where a large company gathered. Mr G Ewing spoke at the graveside.
Mrs Christobel Elizabeth Cowie (née Hamilton), called home on 23rd July at the age of 81. She was saved at the age of eleven in Buckie and was subsequently baptised and received into assembly fellowship. She married the late James Cowie in 1946 and lived mostly in the Glasgow area thereafter. She was in happy fellowship in Abingdon Hall and latterly in the Knightswood assembly where she faithfully attended as her health allowed. She was a kindly and generous Christian lady, much loved by all.
Mrs Josephine Craig passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on 12th October, aged 84 years. Saved as a girl of fifteen on 11th November, 1936 while under the preaching of late Tommy Wallace and Thomas Lyttle, she was later baptised and received into the assembly at Matchett St., Belfast. She continued there in happy fellowship until 1947 when, following her marriage to William Craig, she moved to the assembly at Ahoghill remaining there until "called home". She was the embodiment of a "meek and quiet spirit", and was always marked by a cheerful countenance. A godly, consistent sister, a help meet to her husband, and a servant of the assembly at Ahoghill. The large funeral, from Ahoghill Gospel Hall, was conducted by R Jordan, T Wallace, D Kane, R McKeown, J Lennox, and local brethren.
Mr John Gaw, on 23rd September, aged 76. Saved at the age of twenty-five, he was in the assembly at Killyleagh for the latter years of his Christian life. He was of a quiet disposition and faithful in his attendance at all the meetings. His attention to practical matters such as looking after the hall, setting the table for the remembrance meeting, and the giving out of the hymn books made him a very valued brother who will be sorely missed. He had a good testimony in the community, and this was evidenced by the large representation at his funeral which was conducted by Sam Ferguson and Jack Palmer. Prayer valued for his widow and the small assembly.
Mr James G Good, on 6th September, aged 75, passed peacefully from home into the presence of the Lord after a long illness borne with godly patience. Saved in 1946, he was baptised and received into the assembly at Newmains, Lanarkshire. Due to work he moved to England, latterly spending 12 years in the assembly at Bicester, and then 2 years at Buckland Warf. On taking early retirement he move to Dumfries and Galloway in 1986 and was in happy fellowship in the small assembly in Castle Douglas where he was a much valued and faithful elder who contributed greatly to the spiritual care of the assembly. A brother, very able in both the ministry of the Word and in the preaching of the Gospel, who will be greatly missed. The large attendance at his funeral, with many of his neighbours present, was evidence of the respect in which he was held. Prayer is requested for his wife Margaret and the family.
Mrs Sarah (Sadie) Gordon passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord on 6th October, aged 87. Saved early in life, she was in assembly fellowship for many years of which the past twenty-five or more were spent in Aughrim. A quiet, consistent sister who was given to hospitality and was supportive of all aspects of assembly life. The funeral services in the home and at the grave were conducted by Mr Thomas Wallace and Mr Roland Pickering, and many heard words of comfort and the gospel faithfully presented. Prayer is requested for the large family connection, and especially some of the grand-children still not saved.
Mrs Isobel Henderson, widow of the late Marcus Henderson, was born in 1918 and was called home on 4th September. Isobel was saved as a young woman of eighteen, and was in happy fellowship in the Glengormley assembly for almost forty years. She was the daughter of the late Edward Hill, evangelist, and one of a family of ten, and will be remembered for her quiet, consistent, godly demeanour and her constant smile. She never faltered in her attendance at all the meetings even up until the two weeks before she died. She was the last surviving member of the Hill family and it must be acknowledged that the assembly at Glengormley owes a great debt to this good family and will miss their input in future days. Isobel’s funeral service was conducted by local brethren David Woods, Thompson Kenny, Wesley Moore, and William Moore. The good company gathered in the Gospel Hall and at the graveside bore testimony to the respect in which the memory of our dear sister is held.
Mrs Sarah Elizabeth (Lily) Logan was called home on 13th August, after eighteen months of illness borne with fortitude, and through which she was a bright witness of the grace of God to all who cared for her. She was saved as a girl of 14 years under the preaching of the late Mr Tom McKelvey in Aughavey. Later she was baptised and received into fellowship in Ballyclare assembly where she remained until her homecall. Lily was a Sunday School teacher for many years and was appreciated by girls who later in life thanked her for the teaching and advice they received. She will be missed in the assembly and family circle and especially by her husband Stafford, daughter Valerie, son Philip, daughter Margaret and their families. The funeral services were taken by Mr Jim Allen, Mr Sam McBride, and others.
Miss Minnie McIlwaine, on 5th September, aged 87. She was saved at nineteen, and after periods in Adam Street and Cregagh Street assemblies was in fellowship in Newtownbreda assembly, Belfast from 1957 until her homecall. She was a faithful Sunday School teacher, visitor to the sick, and helper to neighbours. She brought up her niece, Rose, and latterly cared for her sister until failing health prevented her. She was a much-loved sister who will be remembered for her faithfulness, meekness, and devotion to Christ. She hath done what she could. Local brethren took the funeral service.
Miss Annie Meek passed into the presence of the Lord on 18th August, aged 71 years. She was saved as a girl and received into fellowship in Bothwell assembly and then Bellshill assembly. She was active in Sunday School and young people’s work, and was known for her hospitality. A large number attended her funeral which was an evidence of the respect in which she was held. She lived by faith and died in faith.
Miss Isabel Russell was called home on 11th May, aged 79 after a period of prolonged illness, which she bore with fortitude. She was saved when she was fourteen and received into fellowship after she was baptised in Hebron Hall, Larkhall. After its closure in 1984 she moved to Albion Hall, Larkhall. She faithfully attended meetings while her health allowed, and was given to hospitality. She had an independent spirit and was more prone to giving than to receiving. She faithfully nursed both her father and her younger sister Janet during their illnesses until they were called home. She will be much missed by her family, friends, and fellow believers.
Mrs Jeannie Stewart, on 29th May, just a few months short of her 100th birthday. Our dear sister was brought up in Cullen and saved early in life. After her marriage to Jimmy Stewart they moved to Glasgow where they were in fellowship in both Plantation Street and Greenview assemblies before coming back north to Portessie. After the death of her husband, Jeannie came to Lossiemouth where we appreciated her fellowship for a number of years. Her last years were spent in Auchlochan where she enjoyed the comfort and care of the home. She is missed both by her family and her many friends.
Mr Alex Strachan was called home on 10th August, aged 88. Saved as a young man, he had a bright testimony. As an engineer in the Navy during the war, he was able to lead others to the Saviour. He was baptised in Egypt, and when he returned home in 1943 he was received into fellowship in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead, where he continued faithfully. He preached the gospel in the hall and in the open-air, and occasionally gave a word of ministry after the Breaking of Bread. Alex was a compassionate man, and, along with his wife, opened his home for those in need. He was loved as a faithful husband and father, respected as a skilled engineer in secular employment, and esteemed as a dear brother in the assembly.
Mrs Olive Taylor, Portadown. Following a long illness, our sister was called home on 22nd August, aged 89 years. She was saved as a girl of fourteen years of age, while attending gospel meetings conducted by late Mr Robert Hawthorne in Drumacanver area. Soon afterwards she was baptised and received into fellowship there, and was in fellowship with the assemblies for seventy-five years until health no longer permitted her to attend the meetings. With her late husband, who was a member of the RUC, she moved to different areas, and was in fellowship at Ahorey, Larne, Drumacanver, and finally Portadown. She was a good woman who loved the Lord and was a real supporter of the gospel. The funeral services at home and at the graveside were taken by Thomas McNeill, as requested by herself while she was ill, with T Wright, T Hannam and M Campbell sharing in hymns and prayer. Prayer valued for her family some of whom are in Vancouver.
