Miss Evangeline Beck, aged 86, was called home to be with Christ on 26th November. Our dear sister was saved while attending meetings conducted by our late brother Mr Eric Wishart (evangelist) after which she was received into fellowship in Banbridge. She was highly valued for her faithfulness to the gospel and the assembly until her sudden homecall. Evangeline devoted much of her time providing help and support to her niece, Betty Magennis, whom she dearly loved, both at home and on the mission field at Dipalata Zambia where Betty has been serving the Lord faithfully for many years. Evangeline organised supply parcels and handled all Betty's needs and affairs for many decades. She visited her niece in Zambia staying a few weeks which was a great joy and encouragement to them both. Her large funeral service in Banbridge Gospel Hall was evidence of the high regard in which our dear sister was held. Her service was taken in the Hall by D Radcliffe assisted by S Dawson, and at the graveside the service was taken by J Rogers assisted by A Petrie.
Mrs Mary Harrison, aged 76, on 4th November. Brought up in a non-christian home, Mary was saved at the age of twelve through the witness of a schoolfriend. She was subsequently baptised and came into fellowship in the Tabernacle Gospel Hall, Shettleston, where she continued until her marriage. She then moved to Armadale where she spent the greater part of her Christian life. Due to illness her final five years were spent in care in Auchlochan. Although left to bring up a young daughter on her own, Mary's faith and fidelity never wavered, and her Christian life was one of unbroken and unblemished testimony. Her attendance at and contribution to the assembly was an example to all, and the large gathering at her funeral, both of saved and unsaved, betokened the respect in which she was held.
Mr John Jamison, aged 85, went to be with Christ on 3rd November. Saved in his early thirties under the preaching of W J Nesbitt, John was baptised and received into fellowship in the Bloomfield assembly soon after in 1961. John was a keen and diligent student of the Scriptures and his contributions in the assembly were most helpful and much appreciated. He was a respected overseer who sought the spiritual profit and well-being of all, encouraging younger brethren in the study of Scripture and maintaining a constant interest in their progress and development. Faithful and regular in attendance up to the very end, he passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord after a short illness. His funeral service was taken by local brethren with whom he shared responsibility in the Bloomfield assembly over many years. Prayer is requested for his widow, family and grand-children some of whom do not yet know his Saviour.
Mrs Moira McFadyean (née Hall), aged 81, was called home to be with the Lord on 10th June. Moira was sixth in a family of eight and was saved at the age of 14 in Catrine, Ayrshire, and was later in fellowship in the Gospel Hall there, where she was a Sunday School teacher for 20 years. In July, 1974 she married Willie McFadyean Following the closure of the Catrine assembly she and her husband met with the believers in Auchinleck and then latterly with the believers in the Tarbolton assembly. She was well known in her home town for her practical skills in dressmaking, knitting and sewing repairs developed through her considerable experience gained through working in the local clothing factories. Together with her husband and her sister Jessie she was given to hospitality, and the Lord's people and many of the local villagers benefitted from their kindness on many occasions, particularly those who were in need and disadvantaged. Diagnosed with serious illness two years ago, she fought it bravely and with fortitude and always maintained a bright cheerful spirit that was an encouragement to all. The burial took place in her home town of Catrine. Please remember in prayer her husband Willie, son Sandy, her sister Jessie and the rest of the family.
Mr Samuel (Sammy) Law, aged 90, was called home on 22nd November. Our brother was saved as a young man of 16 years. After a period of time he was baptized and received into fellowship in the Ballywatermoy assembly near Cullybackey in County Antrim. Sammy had a great love for the Lord and His Word and took a very active interest in all aspects of assembly testimony. For over forty-five years, along with his wife Lizzie, he was caretaker of the Gospel Hall. He also was an overseer for many years. As well as these activities our brother was very active in the proclamation of the gospel. This included teaching in the local Sunday School and speaking in various Gospel Halls on Lord's Day evenings. Another major field of service was open air gospel preaching. Over a period of several decades his Saturday and Lord's Day evenings were spent making known the gospel on the streets in towns and villages such as Ballycastle, Kilrea, Portglenone and Cloughmills. Sammy was active in the local assembly right up until a few weeks before his home-call. He will be greatly missed by his family, the assembly and the local community. The funeral was conducted by brethren J Fleck and W Martin who were assisted by G Patton, J Law and G Logan. Prayer would be appreciated for his widow, Lizzie, sons Allan and Trevor, daughter Helen and their respective families.
Mrs Miriam Marcus, aged 81, was called home on 20th November, in Prospect Nursing Home following a period of illness. She was saved at the age of 21 at meetings in Carnlough conducted by the late Leonard Mullan and the late John Norris. Following her marriage to Tommy in 1958, the Lord blessed them with 2 sons and 2 daughters. The couple were associated with the assembly in Carnlough for many years where Miriam faithfully entertained the Lord's people in the family home. In 1991 Miriam and Tommy came to reside in Ballymena and joined the assembly in Cambridge Avenue, where she had a keen interest in the missionary class. In her latter years Miriam was unable to attend the assembly meetings due to ill health. Though she is sadly missed, the family rejoice that she is now "at home with the Lord". Her funeral service in Cambridge Avenue Gospel Hall was shared by local brethren, her grandson Peter Elliott paid a fitting tribute, and the large turnout was testament to Miriam's life and devotion to the Lord. Prayer would be valued for her husband Tommy and the family circle.
Mr David Peat, aged 66, was called home to be with his Lord on 23rd October, after having poor health for many years. He was born in Craigneuk, Wishaw, on 3rd November, 1948 and was received into fellowship in the Overtown Gospel Hall on 1st December, 1974, and was a member for approximately 40 years. In earlier years he was employed as a joiner and helped a lot in renovation work in the Overtown Gospel Hall around 1990. He also did voluntary joiner work in the Motherwell GLO Centre, and went with the GLO Outreach team during the summer to Italy on a number of years. During his latter years he was confined to a wheelchair, but was never heard to complain. When he attended on Sunday mornings to "Break Bread" he always took part. Our brother was quiet and gentle and he will be missed. He was buried on what would have been his 67th birthday. Prayer is requested for his mother who is in a home and his sister, brother and their spouses and families.
Mrs Elizabeth Emily (Lila) Veitch, aged 95, was called home on 10th October. Following her conversion at the age of 14, she was baptised a few years later and received into the fellowship of the Lisbellaw assembly in Co. Fermanagh where she was in fellowship for almost 80 years until her homecall. She was faithful in attendance over many years, latterly being confined to home and nursing home. She is missed by the assembly and her family circle. Her well attended funeral was conducted by S Patterson with local brethren assisting.
