Mrs Doreen Beggs (née Young), aged 86, was called home on 13th January, after a time of weakness patiently borne. Saved as a young girl in 1937 at meetings conducted in Bleary by James McCullough and Tom McKelvey, she developed an early interest in children's work, which she maintained over many years. With her late husband Thomas, their home was used for the furtherance of the gospel and hospitality to the saints. She was in fellowship in the Dromore assembly from her marriage in 1960. She was a faithful sister who attended all assembly gatherings consistently until 2008 when she went to reside in Faith House. She encouraged many and will be greatly missed. The funeral services were conducted by her son-in-law, Ian McKee and Brian Currie, assisted by local brethren. She is survived by her daughters Hilary (McKee) and Heather (Brown), who with her husband Crawford serves the Lord in Brazil, and her 3 grandchildren.
Mrs Gertrude Davidson, was called home to be with the Lord on 7th January, in her 99th year. She was saved as a young woman of 21 in meetings conducted by Mr Joe Stewart and Mr Willie Hagan in 1937, and was received into the Banbridge assembly. Having been a faithful member there for just over 20 years, she moved with her husband and family to Ballymoney. Further moves took her to Bangor and Larne. In these different locations across Northern Ireland she was always consistent in her attendance at the meetings of the local assembly. Owing to gradually failing health she spent the final 7 years of her life in Faith House, Finaghy. She was happy there and was loved and respected by the staff and other residents, many of whom she had met in earlier years in different assemblies. A large crowd attended the service of thanksgiving for her life, which was held in Larne Gospel Hall, and conducted by W McClean and S Thompson.
Mrs Maria (Ria) Johnston, aged 95, was called home on 22nd February. Our sister was saved as a young woman under the preaching of W P Nicholson. Some time later she was baptized and received into fellowship in the assembly meeting at Wellington Street, Ballymena. In 1950 she and her late husband Jim were amongst the foundation members of the assembly in the Harryville area of the town. Mrs Johnston was a faithful member of the assembly and, within her sphere as a sister, contributed fully to the testimony in the local area. In recent years our sister suffered from failing health but, though unable to attend assembly gatherings, always maintained a keen interest in its activities. She will be sadly missed by her family and in the assembly. Her funeral services were conducted by R Steele and W Martin assisted by other local brethren.
Mrs Hilda (Ruth) McDonald, passed into the Lord's presence on 3rd January. Ruth was brought up in a Christian home. She was the youngest daughter of a family of eight children and she personally trusted the Lord when she was 13. She married Stanley McDonald in 1961 and joined the assembly at Hebron Hall, South Shields. During 53 years of fellowship there, Ruth was involved in Sunday School work, missionary knitting, and helping in the catering arrangements at both local and regional conferences. She and Stanley were very hospitable towards many of the Lord's servants. She played the organ for the various meeting at the hall. Ruth faced an awful terminal illness with tremendous faith and fortitude. She was a widow for only four months before the Lord called her to glory. Sadly, her youngest son Ian (46) died the very same day, with only 10 minutes separating their deaths! She leaves one son, Stephen.
Mrs Margaret Jane Patterson (Pearl), aged 90, was called home to be with her Saviour on 12th February. She was saved as a young girl of 14 on 13th September, 1938 while attending meetings in Quilly, conducted by the late Mr Charles Fleming. Pearl, with her late husband William, spent many happy years in the Dromena assembly. She was a valued and very much appreciated sister, dedicated to the Word of God and to the spread of the gospel, and was a faithful attender at the assembly meetings. Her personal life and testimony was exemplary and had a great influence on the many people who knew her. She was known for her homeliness and hospitality, many enjoying much kindness as they were welcomed to her home. A true mother of Israel, one who bestowed much labour, "for she has been a succourer of many". God blessed their marriage with 3 boys and 3 girls along with grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a devoted and caring mother who loved her family selflessly, and was a woman given to much prayer. Due to her increasing bodily infirmities, she spent some years in a nursing home where she received much loving attention. Her funeral service was very large showing the high esteem in which our respected sister was held, and was conducted by D Gilliland and J Rogers assisted by J Lennox and L Craig. Prayer is requested for some of our dear sister's family who, as yet, do not know the Saviour.
Mr Sidney Shaw, aged 82, was called home on 19th December. He was the only child of believing parents, born and brought up in Comber, County Down. At an early age he trusted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour. For over the last forty years he and his wife associated themselves with the local assembly meeting at Cloughfern. During this time they enjoyed the fellowship of the Lord's people. Sidney was an active brother in the work of the assembly and took a keen interest in the proclamation of the gospel in the district, among friends, neighbours, and whenever he found an opportunity to warn sinners of their need of salvation. They were constant attenders at all the meetings. During recent years illness prevented him from attending, but even up to his last days he was always enquiring about the assembly gatherings. A beloved brother in the Lord who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Prayer is requested for his wife Isobel, son Geoffrey, daughter Stephanie (Pakistan), grandchildren and the entire family circle.
Mrs Sophia Waugh, aged 90, was called into the presence of the Lord on 13th January. Sophia was brought up in Prestwick. Early in life she trusted the Lord, was baptised, and added to the assembly in Glenburn. On her marriage to Robert Waugh, she moved to Annbank. There her daughter Elizabeth and son John were born. For many years she was fully involved in all the activities of the Annbank assembly. In the communities of Mossblown and Annbank she was a good neighbour and a bright witness for Christ. She and Robert opened their home to many of the Lord's people. Sophia had a deep interest in overseas mission, faithfully supporting many of the Lord's servants. She wrote weekly for 50 years to her brother Willie Hastings in Africa. For some time she ran a missionary class in her home. Over the years she spoke regularly at women's gospel meetings and was well known for her recitations. Shortly after the home call of her husband in 2002, the assembly in Annbank closed. Sophia then joined Tarbolton assembly. Her last few years were happily spent at Auchlochan where she enjoyed fellowship with many Christians. Sophia had a very happy spirit - her joy in the Lord was infectious. She was devoted to the Lord, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the Lord's people. We give thanks for all that God's grace accomplished in her life.
Mrs Jean Marie McCullough, 82, of Cedar Falls, USA, died on 6th November. At the Western Home Communities Elizabeth Martin Health Center, Cedar Falls. She was born on 11th January, 1932, in Chicago, the daughter of Donald and Laura (Stevenson) Kennedy. She graduated from Harper High School in Chicago and attended the Chicago Art Institute. The most important day of her life was when at 11 years of age she trusted Christ as her Saviour through the words of Matthew 11.28. She loved children, and did volunteer teaching at River Hills School in Cedar Falls for 9 years. She also volunteered at the Lily Ferguson Child Development Center in Waterloo and helped the Waterloo community when children from Bosnia began immigrating to this area. On 28th October, 1950 she married Dr Eric McCullough and they moved to Cedar Falls where he established a practice as a chiropractor. She was happy in fellowship with the assembly at the Cedar Falls Gospel Hall since its inception, which she greatly appreciated. With her husband, she made several short term visits to Antigua in the West Indies for gospel work. She became involved in a work with teenage girls and had the joy of seeing a number saved. Recently one of her home care aides came to know the Saviour as a result of her testimony. Left to mourn her loss are her husband Eric, four daughters - Shirley (Russell) Sluiter, Denver, IA; Carol (Duane) Hamilton, Republic, MO; Sharon (Tim) Fouts, Novi, MI; Mary (Bryan) Burton, Waterloo, IA; one son Brian (Andrea) McCullough, Hudson, IA; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all whom she adored. She is also survived by two sisters, Shirley (David) Nelson, Peotone, IL, and Beth (Robert) Marshall, St. Charles, IL. Preceding her in death were her parents, Donald and Laura Kennedy.
[Mrs McCullough's grandparents, on both sides, were from Scotland before they moved to the USA.]
