Mrs Anna Clegg went to be with Christ on 5th July, in her 78th year. She was saved while attending gospel meetings conducted by J G Hutchinson and J Allen in Banbridge, County Down in 1985. In 1989 she was baptised and received into fellowship in the assembly at Banbridge. Anna, who was widowed over twenty years ago, lived a quiet, godly life until her homecall after a severe illness. She had no family of her own, but will be sadly missed by her two sisters and the wider circle of friends. A large number of local people and relatives attended her funeral and heard the gospel preached by James and Wesley Martin. Please pray that her homecall will be a voice from God to unsaved relatives.
Mr Harry Dalzell, aged 89, called home on 19th July after a lengthy period of illness. He was saved in 1954 under the preaching of the late Reg Jordan and was soon baptised and received into fellowship at Lisnagat. The assembly later moved to Markethill and he remained in happy fellowship there until his homecall. For many years he was the correspondent, and had a special ability in writing an encouraging letter. He was also most helpful in thanksgiving and ministry within the assembly. He was greatly missed during the eighteen months prior to his homecall when illness prevented him from attending the meetings. He was deeply shaken by the sudden and unexpected homecall of his first wife Isobel in 1989. He later married Georgina who, with his five daughters, their husbands, and grandchildren, as well as his sister and brother, mourn his passing and would value our prayers. A large company gathered for his funeral services which were conducted by A Fulton and J Wishart, with his brother, William Dalzell, paying a tribute.
Mrs Joyce Hamilton, aged 79, was called home on 7th July after four months’ suffering in a number of hospitals. She was saved as a girl of 17 years at meetings conducted by the late Richard Hull and Robert Craig, and a year later was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly at Ballyclare. Joyce appreciated the assembly meetings and attended regularly along with her late husband Jim who predeceased her by five years. She loved to see the Christians walking in truth. The services at the large funeral were taken by Alan McMillan and Daniel Glenn assisted by Stafford Logan, James Todd, and her brother-in-law Philip Harper. She will be missed by her daughter Ruth, husband, and family, by the families of her brother Thomas and sister Agnes, and also by the assembly.
Mr Jack Hartley, aged 90, on 12th July. Saved in 1940, he was for many years in the Gransha Assembly, where he was a loved and respected brother sharing in oversight and was truly a spiritual shepherd. He had the joy, with his wife Anna, of seeing all the family saved and having an interest in the things of God. After his wife passed away he went to live with some of the family and for a short time was in Central Hall, Bangor, and later in Laganvale Assembly in Belfast. Gransha Assembly felt his leaving them very keenly. His funeral was the largest ever seen in the Gransha hall. J G Hutchinson conducted the services with D Radcliffe and R Pickering giving excellent gospel messages. W Trimble and U Crothers shared in prayer.
Mrs Lily Kerr, on 13th July, in her ninety-first year. Saved at seventeen when attending gospel meetings held by the late Mr Robert Beattie, she and her husband Robert, who was called home in 1995, were both marked by a steadfast faith in Christ and deep devotedness to the assembly testimony in Omagh. In recent years, when Lily’s health was failing, this faithful attendance was maintained until a short time before her departure to be with Christ. She was a woman who prayed without ceasing for her family circle of three generations, some of whom are still unsaved. She will be truly missed in the assembly, and by her affectionate family. A Wilson and S Nelson preached the gospel at her well-attended funeral.
Mr D McFeeters, aged 84, suddenly on 8th December. He was saved at 15 years of age at meetings in Sion Mills conducted by Mr Stewart and Mr Wallace. He was received into the assembly at Sion Mills. Later, due to business connections, he came to Belfast where he was in fellowship in Dundonald Assembly. For 46 years he lived for the welfare and blessing of the assembly, and for many years shared in oversight. He was a shepherd, wise and careful, and highly esteemed. He was also one of the conveners of the conference meetings in Belfast. His funeral from the Dundonald Hall was very large, and was carried out as he had directed. Mr D Gillespie was the chairman with J G Hutchinson speaking at both in the hall and at the graveside. Prayer valued for his widow and family all in Christ.
