Mrs Elizabeth Anderson was called home on 29th August in her 84th year. Our sister, known to family and friends as Lizzie, was baptised in October, 1948, and received into fellowship in the assembly meeting at that time in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead. She raised a large family with much love and care which was warmly reciprocated in her later years of poorer health. Sadly, Lizzie’s husband Donald was in hospital in Aberdeen when she passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly at her home. Prayer would be appreciated for her husband and family.
Mr Tom Baker, aged 82, passed into the presence of the Lord in the early hours of Christmas Eve. During the last five and a half years of his life he suffered from renal failure, and this necessitated thrice-weekly dialysis treatment, all of which he bore without complaint. Tom was one of eight children, and on his birth, as the first boy in the family, his father threw his hat into the fire by way of celebration! After his twin sisters were saved, they asked their parents to attend meetings with them at Ringslade Hall, Wood Green, but after the service was over Tom and his father always made a hasty retreat until, while waiting one evening to make the usual speedy exit, Tom’s father was saved. A short while after, Tom, aged only nine, also committed his life to the Lord. In his youth, he was a promising footballer with the possibility of a professional career, but he knew that this would conflict with his desire to serve the Lord. His conviction in this way, plus a knee injury, settled the matter. Tom and his beloved wife Iris were married for 57 years, and together they opened their hearts and their homes to many people. For 45 years, Tom and Iris were in fellowship at Alexandra Hall, Hornsey, where, amongst many other things, Tom served as a faithful elder, as he did latterly at Mill Lane Chapel, Cheshunt where, again, his love, patience, understanding and wisdom, not to mention his sense of humour, combined to make him a valued overseer in the assembly. His gospel preaching and ministry of the Word were greatly appreciated over a wide area. The funeral services were conducted by local brethren. Prayer is requested for Iris, and for their son, his wife and family, and for their daughter and her husband.
Mrs Margaret (Peggy) Caldwell (née Crawford), aged 83, was released from a body of weakness to depart to be with Christ on 6th February. She was saved on 5th December, 1945 as a girl of 16 in a local hall where she grew up at Creavery, near Kells, Co Antrim at meetings conducted by Mr R Boyle and Mr R Neill. She was later baptised and received into fellowship in the Kells assembly where she was a member for 67 years. She was a reliable and regular attendee at the assembly meetings for many years until ill health finally prevented her from doing so. Mrs Caldwell was a woman of quiet disposition who loved the Lord and lived to His glory. She was a faithful wife to John and loving mother to Alistair, Margaret, William and Robert. Together with her husband she was an asset to the local assembly and had a great love for the spread of the gospel. She was a woman who showed much kindness and hospitality to the Lord’s people. It gave her great joy to see her family all saved and in assembly fellowship. She rejoiced in the salvation of many of her grandchildren also. Our sister will be sadly missed in the assembly, in the home, and in the community. A very large company attended her funeral, and many neighbours and friends heard the gospel plainly preached by J Fleck and W Martin. J Rogers and local brethren B Wilson, R Steele and F Warwick also participated in the service. Prayer valued for her husband and family circle.
Mrs Alice Chambers, aged 90 years, was called home on 25th November after a short illness. Our sister was one of a number who were reached during a very fruitful series of gospel meetings held in Portadown in the Hanover Street Gospel Hall by Joseph Stewart in 1939. A short time after her conversion she was received into fellowship in the assembly where she and her husband William (who predeceased her over two years ago) were valued members until their home call. Mrs Chambers was a Christian lady of a meek and quiet spirit. Though a person of few words she was most interesting to engage with spiritual conversation. She is missed in the assembly and also by her devoted family circle who were most attentive to her needs of recent years. Prayer will be valued for her two sons, a daughter and their respective families.
Mr Tom Dickson, aged 87. He was saved as a child and later received into fellowship in Kirkintilloch. He was greatly influenced as a young believer by godly relatives, such as Bob Chapman, in Hebron Hall, Larkhall, the town where Tom had been born. During the war he served in the RAMC, and he witnessed fearlessly despite opposition. In later life he was associated with assemblies in Bishopton, Kilbirnie, Haggs, Beith and Kilmarnock. He was a loyal servant of the assemblies, lived a Christian testimony in his work, and was devoted to the Lord. He is survived by his wife Jessie.
Mr James K Duncan (Jim), aged 88, called home on the 24th December. Saved at the age of 15, he served for many years in the local assembly at Newmains, Lanarkshire before moving with his wife, Mary, to Lossiemouth on retirement some 23 years ago. A faithful elder in the local assembly, his strong singing voice suited him well in his role of precentor. During his years at Lossiemouth, Jim was a dependable tract worker and many homes were visited with the gospel. Given to hospitality, our brother and his wife regularly opened their home to visiting brethren and many benefited from their kindness. His large funeral was testimony to the esteem in which he was held. Remember both his wife Mary and the immediate and extended family.
Mr John Dykes, was called home on 2nd January in his 96th year. He was saved at the age of 12 in Stevenson and was in fellowship with the saints at Drygate Street Gospel Hall, Newmilns. He was pre-deceased by his wife Margaret 8 years ago. His latter years were spent in Banbridge, Northern Ireland, where he was highly esteemed and his contributions greatly appreciated in the assembly meetings. His funeral was conducted by his brother Bert, S Brownlee, and J McCormick with three local brethren. He will be sadly missed by his only son, George, and family, for all of whom prayer is requested.
Mrs Helen Halliday, aged 84. Our sister was called home to be with her Lord on 4th February. She was saved, baptised and received into Hebron Hall, Larkhall aged 17. After marriage to Archie they were in Tabernacle assembly, Glasgow. When it closed in 1972, with their two daughters, Irene and Janette (now Mrs John Bowie, Buckie), they moved to Harley Street assembly, Glasgow where Helen was highly esteemed for her consistent godly life. In later years, often in weakness of body, she struggled out to the Lord’s Day meetings, usually expressing her pleasure at being there. Her words of encouragement were appreciated and are remembered. Prayer is requested for Archie and their two girls.
Miss Agnes Hughes of St Monans was called home on 8th January, aged 79, after many years of increasing disability due to Parkinson’s disease. Saved as a girl of 15, baptised and becoming part of the local assembly, her life was a consistent testimony to her strong Christian faith wherever she went. Her true vocation was midwifery which, after training in Aberdeen, she practised in Fife, the Scottish Borders and Mid Lothian, and for a year in Johannesburg. With an outgoing and cheerful disposition she endeared herself to many in all these places. She was especially fond of young people and remained one of them at heart. The onset of illness became a severe trial and inhibited her plans for travel after retirement, but all through these later years in care homes she bravely bore her limitations, stimulated by visits from her family and friends. The hall was packed for her funeral service which showed the esteem in which she was held by neighbours, colleagues and friends from far and near. At home with the Lord, she is now "far better".
Mr Samuel McCorkell, aged 78, passed suddenly into the presence of his Lord on 24th January. Our brother was saved in 1960 as a young man of 25. He was received into fellowship in Quilly assembly where he was a faithful attender for many years until ill-health prevented him. He was lovingly cared for by his dear wife Barbara. The large funeral service was conducted by brother David McGarvey, assisted by brethren from the Quilly assembly, and many of Sammie’s neighbours and friends heard the gospel faithfully preached.
Mr Joseph (Joey) McKibben, aged 81, passed into the Lord’s presence on 15th January. He was saved as a young man of 19 years after listening to a revival hour broadcast in the month of December, 1950. Sometime later he was baptised and with his dear wife Mabel came into the assembly at Annalong where he remained faithful for the rest of his days. He was a man who saw the truth of gathering to the Lord’s name and sought to uphold and strengthen the testimony in so many ways. He led the singing for years, loved to preach the gospel in the open-air, and was truly a brother whose heart was in the things of God and was always grateful to the Lord for all his blessings. His family was very dear to him and they in turn were caring to him. Latterly, when he was in failing health they were all attentive to him especially his daughter Debbie with her husband Mark and their children. Despite adverse weather conditions many came to his funeral services when D Williamson and R Pickering gave messages of comfort and gospel with S Haugh paying tribute along with Trevor McKibben, a grandson, while J Bingham and D McAdam shared in prayer.
Mrs Mary Sutherland, aged 81, was called home to be with the Lord on 7th December. Our sister, known locally as May Watt (her maiden name), was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly meeting at that time in Prince Street Hall, Peterhead in October, 1948. May was widowed when her late husband John was called home in 1974. She was a skilled knitter and remained busy through many years of increasing pain and restriction from rheumatoid arthritis. May appreciated visitors who always received a warm welcome in her home. She is sadly missed by her family.
