Mrs Janie Baikie, on 30th January, at almost 90 years of age. Our dear sister was brought up in Hopeman and was baptised and received into the assembly with her late husband and her daughter Elizabeth, enjoying happy fellowship with the saints there. After Hopeman assembly closed both she and Elizabeth went to Elgin for a short while before coming to Lossiemouth. We have appreciated their time with us and Janie was an example to us all with her steadfast faith. This was evidenced by her determination to be at the meetings even in latter years of failing health. Prayer is requested for Elizabeth who will truly miss her.
Mrs Elizabeth A Barnes, aged 75, went to be with the Lord on 14th March, after a long, trying illness patiently borne. She was saved at meetings in Cookstown conducted by Mr T Wallace and Mr H Paisley, and afterwards she was received into Tullylagan Assembly. A Christian lady whose home was open to the Lord's servants and saints, she was a faithful attender at all the assembly gatherings until she was prevented by illness. The large funeral bore evidence to the esteem in which she was held, and was conducted by James Martin and Jack Lennox with others sharing. Mourned by all who knew her worth and especially by the family.
Mrs Beth Booth, aged 49, was called home on 28th February, after several months of illness courageously borne. She was saved as a girl of 13 at gospel meetings conducted at Killycurragh in County Tyrone, and was later baptised and received into fellowship in the assembly there. On her marriage to Mr George Booth in July, 1981 she was commended to the assembly at Kingsmills where she was a most valuable and faithful member until her homecall. Beth had a great interest in the Lord's work and had the joy of seeing her family of three girls and two boys profess faith in Christ. She will be greatly missed in the home, the community, and the assembly. Her funeral service was conducted by W Martin and D Gilliland with S McBride, W Halliday, and J Martin sharing in prayer. Please pray for the family at this time of loss.
Mrs A A E Buchanan, aged 85, passed away on 19th March. She was saved at cottage meetings when she was 14, baptised when she was 15, and ever since was in the Clough assembly where she was a devoted and faithful member. A good wife and mother, one of her sons is a missionary in Brazil. Her home was marked by hospitality, and she was deeply interested in the welfare of the assembly and the spread of the gospel. Her large funeral was conducted by J G Hutchinson and J Lennox, with J Fleck, S McBride, and W Martin sharing in hymns and prayer. Prayer valued for the family and the assembly.
Mrs Martha (Meta) Kane, wife of David Kane (evangelist), called home on 29th November. She was saved as a girl of 19 in Belfast, through the reading of Ephesians 2.8. Both Meta and David were baptised and received into the assembly at Matchett Street in 1942. Meta loved the Lord and served Him and the Lord's people. Her home was ever open, and was used as a little haven of rest for many of the saints. When she was able she would also have often visited the sick at their homes and in hospital. When David went into the Lord's work full-time in 1968, Meta was a true helpmeet and stood by him faithfully. A good godly woman, a true mother in Israel, a virtuous woman - all these could be said of Meta. She left behind a testimony second to none. Her very large funeral from Shankill Gospel Hall, with some from the Catholic persuasion attending, was testimony in the district. Thomas McCann, Andrew McCann, Tom Meekin (Burnside), Bruce Hull, and other brethren from both Scotland and Northern Ireland shared the funeral services. Remember in prayer her husband David who himself is not well and the assembly gathered at Shankill who will be the poorer at the passing of our dear sister.
Mrs Alice McKinney, passed away on 27th February after a short illness in hospital. Saved in 1938 at meetings conducted by Mr S Lewis and Mr J Finegan, she was soon in the assembly in Letterkenny where she was "a servant of the church". She lost her husband in 1972, a Christian gentleman and pillar in the assembly. She brought up her three daughters wisely, and saw them saved and interested in the work of the Lord. Her home was a centre of hospitality. A godly wise woman who kept in touch with many of the Lord's servants at home and abroad, she was esteemed and loved by all. The assembly and the work of the Lord will miss her, especially in Letterkenny. The very large company at the funeral was an indication of the esteem in which she was held. J G Hutchinson and S Patterson gave words of comfort and gospel, and her son-in-law gave a tribute, with W Harris, M Howe and G Stewart sharing in hymns and prayer. Prayer valued for her family and grandchildren and also for the small assembly.
Mrs M E Jean McMonagle, aged 91, called home on 17th February at her daughter and son-in-law's home in Castlederg. She had gone there 3 years ago and there she was loved and well cared for. She was saved in 1927 and soon after was baptised and received into the Londonderry assembly where she pursued a quiet and steady course. She was a wise and spiritual woman with a very gracious spirit. She was given to hospitality, and many missionaries and evangelists shared her kindness as did many local folk. Some who attended her funeral were saved at gospel meetings held in her home. The very large funeral from her home in Greerstown was an indication of the esteem in which she was held. Mr J G Hutchinson and Mr N Woods gave words of comfort, tribute, and gospel, with Mr C Woods and Mr McLean sharing in prayer. Prayer valued for her family.
Mrs Margaret Wilhelmina Neely, on 27th March. Born in August, 1916, she was born again in January, 1943 during gospel meetings conducted in Gorteade Gospel Hall by Messrs D Leathem and J Finegan. She was soon after baptised and gathered with the saints in Gorteade. A very godly woman, who loved the Lord and the place where His honour dwelleth, she loved the old paths, put her all into the gospel, and was a woman of prayer. She had the joy of seeing all her family of four saved and a number of grandchildren won to Christ. She had been ill for some time before her homecall, and was cared for continually by all the family. Prayer valued for some grandchildren who are not yet saved. Her very large funeral was conducted by R Carson, J Alexander, J Martin, J Graham, and D McGarvey.
Mrs M S Rogers passed away suddenly on 7th March. Saved when a very young girl, she was for a short time in Beesbrook assembly. Since then she has been in the Newry assembly. She lost her husband in 1973, but God helped her in bringing up her family and seeing them saved and deeply interested in the work and ways of the Lord. She was a quiet lady, consistent and careful in all her ways. Her home was a scene of prayer and gospel interest. One of her sons is a full-time evangelist, as is her son-in-law. The very large funeral was from Newry Gospel Hall. The services were conducted by D Gilliland and J G Hutchinson. J Kells had a short service in the home before the funeral. S McBride, P Bradley, and E Russell shared in hymns and prayer.
Mr William Smyth, aged 88, passed away on 22nd February at Altnagelvin Area Hospital. He was saved at gospel meetings conducted over sixty years ago by Mr Sam Lewis and Mr Bobby Sproule. He was received into Donemana assembly at that time. A quiet and faithful brother who was at all assembly meetings until latterly when his health did not permit him. His funeral was conducted by D Lowry and C Spence, with A Riley and R Pickering sharing. Prayer would be valued for the family circle.
Mr Samuel Alexander Trimble, aged 89, was called home on 21st February. He was saved in 1937 at gospel meetings in Gransha, when Mr W Johnston and Mr R McCracken were preaching. He was soon baptised and received into the assembly, where he continued steadfastly until a few weeks before his homecall. His wife was called home when the children were very young. His sister-in-law accepted responsibility, wisely and carefully brought them up, and with Alex had the joy of seeing them all saved. He worked hard on the farm and prospered, but, however busy he was he put spiritual things first. His funeral was one of the largest seen in the district, his testimony in the area being first class. Mr S McBride and Mr J G Hutchinson conducted the services: the gospel was made clear and the family comforted. Mr W Nesbitt, Mr T McNeill and Mr J Lennox shared in hymns and prayer. Prayer valued for the family.
Mr William (Billy) Turkington, aged 84, was called home on 4th March. Our brother was saved in 1942 at gospel meetings in Lurgan conducted by Robert Curran. Shortly afterwards he was received into the assembly and from then he was a great asset to the testimony. Possessed of a very alert and retentive mind, he was gifted in both the gospel and the ministry of the Word, and was as much at home in teaching a Sunday School class as in conducting a Bible Reading. For many years he was a very competent correspondent in the Lurgan assembly as well as a committed Convenor of the Annual Conference. The local assembly and many saints over a wide area were enriched and blessed by his original and refreshing contributions. His passing leaves a great vacancy in the assembly, though his spiritual legacy lives on. Prayer is valued for his widow Sue. The very large funeral service from Lurgan Gospel Hall was conducted by D Gilliland and J Lennox with other brethren sharing in prayer.
