Mrs Enid Andrews of Abergavenny, South Wales, was called Home on 29th November, aged 83. Enid was born in Caerphilly into a non-Christian home, but was taken along to the Sunday School at Clive Gospel Hall by a neighbour, and was saved at the age of 14. She was subsequently baptised and added to the assembly, moving to Abergavenny in March 1957 after her marriage to Stanley Andrews. The couple were blessed with two daughters, Janice and Gillian. Stan and Enid were both faithful members of the testimony, being active in many aspects of the assembly’s witness, and Enid was well known for her good works both to other saints and unbelieving neighbours. The couple regularly opened their home to the Lord’s people, including visiting servants of the Lord.
Enid was a woman of prayer, and someone who spoke about the Lord constantly. She also had a keen interest in providing practical resources for missionary work. After Stan was called Home in June 2015, Enid went to live with Janice and her husband in Tottenham, where she was in fellowship with the assembly and was lovingly cared for in days of declining physical and mental health. Her funeral service was conducted by John Frost (son-in-law) and Joshua Kaye (grandson), assisted in prayer by brethren from South Wales. Many unbelievers were present to hear the challenge of the Gospel.
Mrs Margaret Dunsmore, aged 90. On 27th November, after several weeks in hospital, our beloved sister was called Home to be with her Lord. Born in Virginia, USA, Margaret returned to Scotland with her parents while still young, to live in Greenock. After marrying her late husband Angus, they moved to live in Gourock, where they remained in happy fellowship with the saints who meet in the Bethany Hall over many years. She was a devoted sister, who attended the gatherings faithfully until her health prevented her so doing.
Mrs Marjory Duthie, aged 89, was called Home on 20th September. Marjory was saved, baptised and received into fellowship as a young woman in Peterhead. She then moved to Fraserburgh when she married Charlie. They continued as a couple, steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, until Charlie was called Home early in life. Marjory remained faithful, showing devotion and hospitality until aged years took her into a local care home where, despite her condition, she still praised her Lord. Remember her family in prayer.
Mr Dunn Lowry, aged 83, was called Home on 10th November. Our brother was saved by grace in 1952, while attending Gospel Meetings near Donemana, conducted by the late John Grant. He was later baptised, and received into the Donemana assembly. Dunn was the correspondent for many years, as well as being a Sunday School teacher and a faithful preacher of the Gospel. He will be greatly missed both in the home and in the assembly. The funeral took place from Donemana Gospel Hall, and was conducted by D McAllister and S Gilfillan.
Mrs Evelyn McAllister, aged 86, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on 30th December. She was born into a Christian home, and saved as a girl of 13 in Armoy, County Antrim. After moving to Belfast, and on her marriage to Ronnie McAllister in 1958, she was received into Victoria Memorial Hall assembly. A few years later they moved to the assembly meeting in Ballysillan Gospel Hall, remaining there until the Lord called her Home.
Evelyn was faithful to the assembly and to its meetings, attending for as long as her health allowed. She had a great interest in people, with a burden to see unbelievers reached with the Gospel, and saints helped to go on in the things of God. She had a lifelong missionary interest, being very supportive of the Lord’s work in many parts of the world. Evelyn was an exemplary daughter, wife and mother, who cared for her widowed mother for 59 years, she was most supportive of her husband in every way, and brought up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Those who knew her testified to her gentleness, sincerity, labours and hospitality. She is greatly missed by her husband, family and many friends and fellow saints, who are comforted by the knowledge that she is “with Christ; which is far better”. Her well-attended funeral was conducted by R Pickering.
Mr James McClelland - a brother beloved, a man of God, a faithful preacher of the Gospel and an encourager of the people of God - was born on 3rd May 1949. James was blessed with godly parents, whose farm home in Bellaghy, Northern Ireland was used for the furtherance of the Gospel and the blessing of souls. He was saved at 11 years of age under the preaching of Mr Richard Hull. Five years later, when Mr David Craig spoke on ‘the disciples of the Lord’ in meetings with the Magherafelt assembly, he became exercised about his life being used for God. In the 15 years that followed, James was active in the local assembly, entered business with two of his brothers, married Amy Magee of the Craigyhill assembly, and they began their family together. His interest in the Gospel led to him sharing with other brethren in several Gospel efforts.
In April 1981, James, Amy and their four children moved to Nova Scotia, with the commendation of the saints from Bellaghy and other neighbouring assemblies. His first Gospel series was with brother Albert Hull. Over a period of 35 years, he shared with up to 40 fellow evangelists in Gospel efforts in tents, rented halls and Gospel Halls. The majority of his work was in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, with a few series further afield within Canada, the USA, and during return visits to Northern Ireland. He was a warm-hearted, caring brother with a genuine interest in people, and a deep exercise for the salvation of souls. James enjoyed visiting, and his cheerful, pleasant ways won him an acceptance with those he met. His commitment to the well-being and blessing of the Lord’s people was evident in his ministry and conference messages. The Lord’s people have lost a princely man, and an evangelist of sterling worth.
James and Amy had the joy of seeing their six children saved and received into assembly fellowship. Many people thank God for bringing James McClelland into their lives, value the interest he took in them, and the Gospel they heard from his lips. As he anticipated going Home to glory, he said “the outward man is perishing, but the inward man is being renewed day by day.” The Lord called him into His presence on 12th December. We rejoice that he is now in that fadeless realm where “his servants shall serve Him: and they shall see his face” (Rev 22.3-4).
A recording of James’ funeral service can be viewed at: http://kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/660/James-McClelland/tribute-link.html?linkId=11#
Mr David (Dave) McMullan, aged 79, passed into the Lord’s presence on 26th November. Saved at the age of 15, Dave came into fellowship in the Wellington Street Assembly, Ballymena, which eventually relocated to Cambridge Avenue. Dave had three brothers (including his surviving twin brother Jim) and four sisters, all of whom the Lord blessed with salvation. In 1963, Dave married Ray Gillan, and they had three children: Carole, Beth and Timothy. Dave was well known for his warm-hearted love for the Lord and His people, and was also a much-loved elder and encourager. He had a great zeal for the Gospel, and often took the opportunity to pass on tracts in public places and to testify to others of the Saviour.
Dave had a tremendous appreciation of poetry, often quoting it in prayer. One of his favourite hymns, “Majestic sweetness sits enthroned, upon the Saviour’s brow”, was beautifully sung by the congregation at his funeral service. The very large attendance was an indication of the high esteem in which he was held by all. Please remember his widow Ray, and their three adult children (all of whom are believers), along with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
