Mrs Molly Black (née Johnston), aged 83, was called home on 20th January. Molly was saved as a girl of 13 and became a foundation member of the Newtownbreda assembly when it was planted in May, 1957. Struck down by polio when seventeen, she was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her days. This did not deter her from living a very full and active life. She attended all the assembly meetings and took a great interest in the children's work, teaching a Sunday School class and marking the roll on a Monday night. She was a great housekeeper, baker and cook and loved to entertain the believers. She married a widower and they enjoyed 20 very happy years together until his death in 1997. Molly continued to live on her own until her health began to deteriorate and seven years ago she moved into nursing care. The last 7 months were very trying for she was confined to bed, but she bore this with great fortitude. She was truly inspirational, bearing a clear testimony to the saving, keeping and enabling power of her Saviour. A large company gathered for a service of thanksgiving in Newtownbreda Gospel Hall, which was conducted by local brethren.
Mr Maurice Davidson, aged 87, was called home on 16th January. He and the lady who was to become his wife both trusted Christ as their Saviour at 27 years of age at meetings held by Mr David Walker. Both were baptised and received into the assembly in Ballyclare in 1957. His wife sadly passed away as a young woman in 1974. Maurice was a quiet, cheerful and consistent brother. His funeral was conducted by A McMillan and S Logan. He will be missed by all.
Mrs May Forman, aged 77, was called home on 27th October. May attended the Sunday evening meeting in the Peterhead Salvation Army Hall on 11th January, 1953. She heard the gospel preached, and that night she trusted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. Later she was baptised and received into fellowship in the assembly meeting at that time in Prince St Hall, Peterhead. In recent years serious and protracted health issues prevented our sister attending assembly gatherings. Prayer would be appreciated for her husband David John and his family in their sadness, and particularly for his daughter Lynne whose husband was called home most unexpectedly on 16th January, 2015.
Mrs May Gilpin (née Foster), aged 89, was called home on 5th December. Our sister was saved in 1942, when Mr Robert Curran preached in the old College Street Hall in Armagh. On her marriage to Mr Tom Gilpin she moved to Portadown, where they were in fellowship in Hanover Street, later moving to the Ahorey assembly where she remained until her home-call, her husband having been called home some twenty-three years before her. She lived a godly consistent life, never slow to share her faith with others, and although not able to attend the meetings in recent years due to failing health, she will be very much missed in the assembly, and by her family, to whom she was such a sterling example. Her funeral services were conducted by M Hewitt and J Wishart with family members and other local brethren sharing in Scripture reading, hymns and prayer. Her son and daughter, brother and sister, together with the wider family circle, will appreciate support in prayer at this time.
Mr Billy Murray was called into his Master's presence in early December. He was saved as a young boy and baptised, and then was received into fellowship in Hebron Hall, Glengarnock. He continued there until the Assembly was closed on 8th October, 2012, when he with other believers who gathered there were received into fellowship at the Gospel Hall, Kilbirnie. He was a faithful brother whose life was marked by consistent attendance at all of the meetings. He was an overseer for many years and was also treasurer for a considerable time. He and his wife Nancy were given to warm hospitality and many of the Lord's servants and fellow saints enjoyed fellowship and companionship at their home. When any of the Lord's people required help or transportation to hospital for appointments or visitation, Billy gave this service ungrudgingly and many were the recipients of his kindness. The large turn-out at the funeral service was a tribute to Billy. Please continue to support Nancy and the family in prayer.
Mrs Edith McGarvey, aged 94, was called home to be with Christ on 23rd January. Our esteemed sister was saved on 13th May, 1933 as a girl of 13, Matthew 11.28 bringing rest to her troubled soul. Soon after her conversion she was baptised and received into the Aughavey assembly where she was a faithful member for many years along with her husband George. They both later joined the Quilly assembly where they attended consistently until failing health kept them from the assembly meetings. A devoted mother, she was known for her homeliness, hospitality and her cheery disposition. She had a great love for the gospel and the Lord's people and was a faithful supporter of the Lord's servants, spending much time in prayer for her family and others. During her failing health which she bore with grace and dignity she was lovingly cared for by her family until it was impossible for her to be kept at home. She was confined to nursing care for a short time before her passing to be with the Lord. It brought great joy to her when her youngest son David, with the support of his wife Eileen, left his employment to serve the Lord full time preaching the gospel. Her very large funeral was evidence of the high esteem in which our dear sister was held. The services were conducted by D Gilliland, B Glendinning and J Rogers. Prayer would be appreciated for many of her dear ones still without Christ.
Mr James McLatchie was called home on 21st January. Jim had been unwell for over 2 years, an illness he bore with great fortitude. Jim was saved at 15 in Bethany Hall, Stevenston. After his marriage to Nancy in 1951, they moved to Stockton on Tees for 4 years, returning to Scotland in 1955, and setting up home in Barrhead, remaining in fellowship with the assembly there for the next 60 years. Jim was very active in the assembly as Correspondent for most of that time, an overseer, and an able minister of the Word. He not only used his technical and practical skills to great effect in the maintenance of the Hall, but also in other halls as well. He and Nancy were "given to hospitality" looking after many of the Lord's servants as they visited from time to time. Jim was well known and respected as the large gathering at his funeral testified. Prayer would be appreciated for his wife, Nancy, his family, Iris, Elsbeth, Jim and Dorothy, and for his grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Mr Samuel James Skelly, aged 91, passed into the presence of his Saviour on 22nd January, after a short illness while living temporarily with his daughter Grace and her husband Martin in Scotland. Our beloved brother's early years were spent in the Shanaghan area where he was taught his need of salvation and where he attended Sunday School until he was 21. He moved to Bangor and, while attending meetings in Ebenezer Gospel Hall, conducted by N Johnston and J Graham, he trusted Christ as his personal Saviour, finding release for his burdened soul, after pondering John 3.14-16, and Romans 10.9-10. Shortly afterwards, he was baptised and received into Ebenezer assembly for a short time, then moved to Cregagh Street where he was a faithful and consistent member until his homecall. He was a most hospitable man, whose home was always open and receptive to anyone who called, his cheery smile ever there to welcome. He was a faithful, plain and simple preacher of the gospel, moving around the assemblies for 50 years. He loved the gospel and had a tremendous zeal for souls, standing on the Woodstock Road every Saturday for decades in the open air preaching Christ and Him crucified to all who passed by up to the very end of his life - sometimes with only a few to help, some days on his own! Hail, snow or whatever the weather, Sam was there faithful to the end. He will be greatly missed by his family, assembly and community. His very large funeral service was attended by many family and friends reflecting the very high esteem in which our dear brother was held. His funeral service was conducted by J Irvine, M Hunter, T Adamson, A McKinney, P McCauley and J Rogers Prayer would be very much valued for younger family members still without Christ.
Mrs Betty Workman (née Campbell) was called home to heaven on 25th January, aged 69. She was saved on her 14th birthday while attending gospel meetings conducted by Mr Harold Paisley and the late Mr Joseph Milne in Coleraine, County Londonderry. Some time later she was baptized and received into fellowship in the assembly at Killykergan near Garvagh. After training as a nurse Betty married Jim Workman in 1967. Jim and Betty initially spent a period in fellowship in the assembly at Newtownbreda, Belfast before moving in 1969 to reside in Ballymena. They were received into the assembly at Harryville, and it was to this assembly that she committed the remainder of her life. Our sister was a living example of a virtuous woman as described in Scripture. She made a tremendous contribution to assembly life which, although often unnoticed, was nonetheless invaluable. Betty will be greatly missed not only by her family but by the assembly at Harryville. Her very large funeral was clear evidence of the respect in which she and Jim are held. The gospel was preached and words of comfort given by brethren D Gilliland in the Gospel Hall and W Martin at the graveside. Other local brethren assisted in tribute and prayer. Please pray for her husband Jim, son David, and daughters Anne and Jayne as well as their spouses and her two granddaughters. Prayer is also requested for her aged mother, Mrs Campbell; sister Violet Riley and her brother Alan Campbell and their respective families.
