Mrs Barbara C Blair, aged 91, was called home on 4th September. She was saved, aged 16, in the Sunday School class of Tom Ayre in Windsor Gospel Hall. Enjoying over 70 years in various assemblies in Northern Ireland and England, finally residing in Donaghadee and was in happy fellowship in Ballyhay Gospel Hall. Throughout her life many physical problems were born with grace and in latter years was confined to a nursing home. Faithful to all meetings and conference gatherings with a keen interest in the work of God at home and abroad. Her steady testimony which endeared her to all was evident by the attendance at the funeral. Remember those in family, long prayed for, but not as yet saved.
Mr Thomas Erwin, aged 80, was called home on 17th August. He was saved as a young man of 16 years through the preaching of Mr Richard Hull at meetings in Asfield village close to where he lived. In 1950, the family came to live in Dromore, Co Down, and Thomas was baptised and received into the Dromore assembly. He was a faithful Sunday School teacher for many years and very active in the spread of the gospel locally and throughout the province. His ministry at the breaking of bread meeting was much appreciated by the Lord's people. He will be remembered for his kindness and visitation to the elderly and sick people, both saved and unsaved, and was held in high esteem in the hospitals where he worked as a theatre technician. Five years ago he had an exercise to help the small assembly at Mullafernaghan where his roots were and was in happy fellowship there until his homecall. The funeral was conducted by brethren Wilfred Bickerstaff and Leslie Ward with local brethren taking part in prayer. Prayer is requested for family members still unsaved for whom he prayed continually.
Mrs Netta Gurgan, aged 88, was called home to see her beloved Saviour on 14th September. Our dear sister was saved on 7th January, 1945. She was a quiet reserved Christian lady who enjoyed reading the Scriptures and linking them together as she spent many hours enjoying the Lord's presence in her home. She was a widow for many years, as well as losing a son in recent times. Our sister in her own consistent way gave out many tracts and spoke often about her Saviour when the opportunity came. Netta was also a saint given to much prayer and many will be the poorer now that her prayers are silent. Our sister was in the Banbridge assembly for many years where she will be greatly missed. She was cared for by her loving son Osmond right up to her passing. A very large number attended her funeral service reflecting the high esteem in which she was held. She had made all her funeral arrangements with the request that the gospel of her Saviour would be plainly and simply preached. The funeral was conducted by D Radcliffe, R Pickering, and J Rogers.
Mrs Mary Hamilton, in her 97th year, was called home on 20th September after a short illness. Saved as a girl of 15 under the preaching of the late Joseph Stewart and Adam Buick, she was later baptised and received into the assembly at Clonkeen in 1934. For many years she and her late husband Thomas, who went to be with Christ in February, 2000, were in fellowship in the assembly at Harryville. Forty years ago they came into the fellowship of the assembly in Ahoghill. She was a quiet sister with a meek spirit who had a deep interest in the salvation of her family and friends. Her funeral service was from Ahoghill Gospel Hall where the assembled company heard words of comfort and salvation from M Megaughin followed by J Rogers at the graveside, assisted by local elders and M Radcliffe. Prayer is valued for her loving family, some of whom are not yet saved.
Mr Stanley McDonald, aged 79, was called home to be with his Lord on 4th September. Stan grew up in a Christian home and was associated from early days with Hebron Hall, South Shields. He was saved at 15 after being challenged directly by the preacher, Mr White of the Open Air Mission. He was a highly valued member of the assembly, noted for his faithfulness and love of the Scriptures. For several years he served as Sunday School superintendent and assembly correspondent, and in later years he took on the responsibility for arranging the Tyneside Bible Readings and Easter Conference. He and his wife Ruth were given to hospitality and often refreshed the hearts of the saints. Sadly, the last year of his life was marked by increasing weakness, but even when almost unable to speak, he would move his lips slowly to finish off a verse of Scripture that was being read to him. The Word of God, his joy and rejoicing, was well hidden in his heart. The assembly is impoverished by his departure. Prayer would be valued for his widow.
Mr Samuel Menzies, aged 96, on 4th September. Sammy was a miner in his native Stoneyburn then a gunner in the 8th Army from Alamein to Berlin via Sicily and Normandy. While training at Cullen he met and married a local girl, Elsie. Both were saved during tent meetings conducted by Harry Burness in 1948 and subsequently added to the Cullen assembly. There he continued, serving in the newly started Sunday School, then as treasurer and overseer, until his home-call. Sammy devotedly nursed his seriously ill wife until her death, later marrying Cath with whom he spent his last 15 years. He was a cheerful and consistent brother who is greatly missed by all. Please remember Cath and Sammy's family in prayer.
Mr Colin Stewart, aged 80, was called home on 9th July, after a brief illness. Saved at 21, Colin returned home following National Service to the small assembly in Perth where, with his wife Marion, they actively served the Lord for several years. Moving to Bicester, Oxfordshire in 1968, for the next 40 years Colin gave himself to shepherding the assembly, sharing the heavy burden of weekly meetings as well as ministering the Word more widely. In over 50 years of marriage, their home was always open especially to the many younger believers who would seek his counsel. Colin's latter years were overshadowed by Alzheimer's during which time he was faithfully cared for by Marion. Colin's consistent ministry and character, both publicly and privately, touched many.
