Mr Stanley Andrews of Abergavenny, South Wales was called home on 28th June, aged 90. Stan was saved out of the world on 24th March, 1949 whilst attending special gospel meetings in Regent Street Gospel Hall conducted by Mr Voke. Prior to his conversion he was well-known in the locality as a heavy drinker, but the Lord gave him victory over both alcohol and tobacco and his life was a testimony to the transforming power of the gospel. He was baptised and received into fellowship at Abergavenny where he continued faithfully until his homecall. In March, 1957 he married Enid Hayward of Caerphilly, and the couple were blessed with two daughters, Janice and Gillian. For over 30 years Stan took responsibility for the Sunday School and also served as an elder and precentor of the singing. The Lord took him home after a period of declining health. The Hall was full for the funeral service which was conducted by his two sons-in-law John Frost and Philip Kaye, assisted by Roger Phillips and local brethren. Many unbelievers were present to hear the gospel. Prayer is valued for Enid and the family.
Mrs Pearl Ferguson, aged 89, was called home on 26th June. Pearl was saved as a girl of 12 in the Sunday School of the Matchett Street assembly, and later received into fellowship there. In 1953 she married Sam Ferguson and in 1967 they were both commended to the Ebenezer assembly in Bangor, in which she remained in happy fellowship until her homecall. Her husband Sam was commended to fulltime service in 1971 and she was always a selfless and faithful support to him in his service for the Lord. A wonderful and kind sister of a mild disposition, she was given to hospitality, and was most consistent in her support, not just of her husband but of all the assembly activities. She was a wonderful mother to David and Ruth (Colgan). The very large funeral in Ebenezer Gospel Hall on 29th June, was eloquent testimony to the high esteem in which she was held by all. The service was conducted by M Harper, W Gribben, J Colgan, J Lennox and G Cousins with D Gilpin and D McQuillan being responsible at the graveside. She will be greatly missed by her husband Sam and David and Ruth for whom prayer is requested.
Mr Sam Laughlin of Bethesda Hall, Linthouse, Glasgow was called into the presence of the Lord on 4th June, just 2 months short of his 90th birthday. Sam received Christ as Saviour and Lord as a 12-year-old boy. He was a gifted and diligent personal evangelist. Unassuming in his manner, he had a deep interest in people. Sam was a modern Andrew, with the aim of bringing men and women to the Lord Jesus. He loved the gospel and encouraged all those who preached it. He sought to spread it himself by the distribution of gospel literature, especially to the crowds gathering for football matches at Ibrox stadium. Between 1990 and 2007, Sam had a ministry to the seafarers from all over the world whose ships docked in the Clyde, near Bethesda Hall. He visited the ships regularly. Often he brought sailors to the gospel meetings and, along with his wife Wilma, gave them hospitality in their home. Sam distributed Bibles in various languages and encouraged many of the sailors to complete Emmaus correspondence courses. Sam and Wilma also befriended international students who attended Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities. Sam rose to the challenge of the world being brought to his doorstep. His service had a global reach. Remember Wilma in prayer.
Mrs Ella MacDonald, aged 92, was called home on 25th February, and was a faithful member of the Antrim assembly for over fifty years. She was saved as a teenager under the preaching of the late Mr Fred Bingham, and was later baptised and received into the Aughrim assembly. She came to Antrim in 1965 with her late husband George who was a respected overseer for many years. Throughout her life she bore a quiet consistent testimony in the neighbourhood and faithfully supported her late husband who died in April, 1990. At the large gathering for her Funeral Service a tribute to her memory was made by J Mitchell, and R Pickering presented the gospel and gave words of comfort from the Scriptures.
Mrs Minnie Robinson, aged 87, was called home on 19th July. Our sister and her late husband Samuel were saved during a series of gospel meetings in the Harryville area of Ballymena in 1961. The preachers were Mr Albert McShane and Mr Alex Lyttle. At a later date Mrs Robinson and her husband were baptized and received into fellowship in the assembly at Harryville. Our sister was a very modest woman who was consistent in her attendance at the assembly meetings. Her dress and deportment were becoming that of a woman professing godliness. In recent years failing health curtailed her attendance at the meetings. However, she maintained an interest in the affairs of the assembly and bore her increasing infirmity with good grace. She will be sadly missed by her sons John and Wilbert and in the assembly. Her funeral services were conducted by L Ballantine and W Martin assisted by Roy and Billy Reynolds.
