Mr Alan Bennett, aged 65. Saved in January 1963 through the preaching of the late John Burns of Annbank, Scotland, Alan was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly at Whitwell, Derbyshire, where he was soon active in the Lord's work. He left home to study in Cardiff, where he met, and later married, Mary-Rose Francis of Port Talbot. They settled first in Lowestoft, where they were in fellowship at Colville Hall, before moving to High Wycombe, where they met with the assembly in the Gospel Hall, Chesham and, later, at Bethany Gospel Hall. When they returned to Cardiff in 1982, they renewed fellowship at Llandaff North Gospel Hall, before moving to the Adamsdown assembly. Alan had a keen interest in the work of the Lord overseas, and visited assemblies in Czechoslovakia, Poland, France and Italy. Active in the Gospel and ministry, he assiduously avoided the extremes of both liberalism and legalism, having the desire only to obey the teaching of the Word of God. Having preached his last Gospel message at Treorchy, he travelled home and passed into the presence of his Lord. The large funeral was conducted by N Williams, P Francis and J Griffiths. He leaves his wife, three sons, and their families.
Mr Malcolm Craig, aged 100 years, was called Home on 25th May. He was saved on 23rd January 1938, and was first in fellowship at Old Lodge Road. Latterly, Malcolm was in fellowship at Ballyduff, where he attended his last meeting on 27th March 2016. He was active in Gospel preaching throughout his life, and had a great heart for lost souls. He often gave a word of helpful ministry when requested and, on Lord's Days, up until a short time before his homecall, he was still leading the saints in worship. He will be missed by all in Ballyduff.
Mr Hugh Forbes was called into the presence of his Lord on 25th June, aged 95. During the Second World War, Hugh served in the Royal Navy and saw action both in the Mediterranean theatre, and escorting Arctic convoys. Apart from his wartime service, Hugh worked in and around Forres as a Council employee, and was a well-known figure in the town. He was a very quiet man who never married, but as a member of the local assembly he proved the Scripture "God setteth the solitary in families" (Ps 68.6). Although frailty prevented Hugh from being at the assembly gatherings for the past few years, some local believers made it their ministry to visit him regularly, a kindness for which Hugh was ever grateful. Now absent from the body, our brother is present with the Lord.
Mr William Thomas Kells, aged 83, was called Home on 6th June. Will was educated at Methodist College, Belfast, and trusted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour on 18th November 1949. While still a teenager, he was involved in a serious car accident and given only hours to live, but the Lord graciously answered fervent prayer on his behalf, and his life was spared. Will was employed in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and he married Anna Thompson in March 1955. They were members of the Windsor assembly before moving, in 1975, to east Belfast and the assembly at Comber Road, Dundonald where, over the past four decades, Will was a committed and faithful member. He was a respected elder and an encourager, marked by gentleness and graciousness. He regularly preached the Gospel in rural areas of Ireland. Although almost entirely confined to bed for the past 20 months, during which time his dear wife passed away, Will never lost his interest in the welfare of others and how things were going in the assembly. Throughout these difficult circumstances, he maintained a wonderful, dignified and gracious spirit. Prayer would be appreciated for his daughter Rhoda, son-in-law Philip, and granddaughter Rachel, along with his sister Ruby, brother Jim, and others in the family circle.
Mr Harold Kirkpatrick passed into the presence of his Saviour on 5th June. He was saved at 15 years of age, while attending Gospel Meetings conducted by Mr Jim Martin at Tullycoll. Our dear brother was always pleased to tell how he got saved, halfway up his own lane on his way home. Romans 10.9 was the text that brought deliverance and assurance to his troubled soul. Our esteemed brother was a family man, and God blessed Harold and his wife, Sybil, with four daughters. He was a most friendly and faithful man, with a tremendous love for the Scriptures, the assembly and the Gospel in his local district. A man of prayer, he was continually interested in his loved ones, and had a deep desire that all his neighbours would come to know his Saviour as their very own. For many years, he was engaged in Sunday School work at Killycurragh. His last message to the saints was from 2 Peter 3.18, encouraging both young and old to grow in grace and in the knowledge of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He will be greatly missed by his loving family, and also by the saints meeting at Killycurragh. The large funeral showed the very high respect in which our dear brother was held. The service was conducted by H Glasgow, B Taylor, A Colgan and J Rogers. Prayer is requested for his grandchildren, some of whom are yet without Christ.
Mr George Paterson, aged 83, was called Home to glory, peacefully from his own home on 17th March, after a long illness borne with courage and Christian grace. His wife Margaret was by his side. George was born and brought up in a Christian home in Forres, Morayshire, where he was saved as a young boy, baptised, and received into fellowship in the assembly there. He moved to Aberdeen in July 1966, when he married Margaret at Holburn Gospel Hall. He was a faithful elder in the Holburn assembly, and a quiet, gentle man. A consistent brother marked by steadfastness of character, he was active in assembly life for as long as he was able, and his input to the assembly has been greatly valued over many years. With Margaret, he was diligent in home visitation of the elderly and those unable to attend the meetings, and had a most welcoming smile for everyone with whom he came into contact. He was highly esteemed amongst the saints, and will be greatly missed. George also had a good testimony among his neighbours, who appreciated his gardening help and advice, and benefited from the fruits of his own garden. Much loved by Margaret, his sons Stephen and Gerald, the wider family and grandchildren, his passing will be deeply felt. His large funeral showed the respect and affection in which our beloved brother was held. Prayer for Margaret and the family would be appreciated.
Mrs Mary Paterson (née Cowie) was called Home to be with the Lord on 19th June, in her 84th year. She was born and raised in Aberdeen, and saved under the preaching of David Walker when she was ten years old. Mary was later baptised and received into the fellowship of the Woodside assembly, where she remained until she married John (Jack) Paterson and moved to Forres in 1957. Since then, Mary has been a most faithful member of the Forres assembly and, like Phebe in Romans 16, was not only a much-loved "sister", but also "a servant of the church" and "a succourer of many". Quiet, faithful, hospitable and consistent in her testimony, Mary will be greatly missed by Jack, her family, and the assembly. Her well-attended funeral reflected the high esteem in which she was held. Some of Mary's family are not yet saved, and prayer is requested for them.
