Mrs Rhoda Badger, on 30th November, went peacefully and suddenly to be with the Lord in her sleep. She was saved as a girl of 11 years of age, when Jim Hutchinson preached in Portadown. She was in Ahorey assembly for many years, until her marriage to Uel, 26 years ago, when she came to the assembly at Aughavey. There, as before, she was faithful and helpful in all the activities of the assembly. With her husband, they were given to hospitality, their home being open to the Lord’s people and the Lord’s servants. Rhoda had also a great interest in missionary work, seeking to help and encourage many missionaries over the years. She will be sorely missed by her family, in the neighbourhood, and among the Christians at Aughavey. Her large funeral was a tribute to her life and testimony, when many heard the Gospel. It was conducted by W Fenton, D Owens, J Parkinson and R Pickering.
Miss Bertha Davidson, aged 87, was called Home on 25th November 2016. Our sister was born in Banchory in 1929, and born again when she was 19 years old. On moving to Aberdeen, she associated herself with various assemblies, and came into fellowship in the Fountain Hall assembly in 1982, where she continued steadfastly until prevented by illness. In May 2010 Bertha moved into Summerhill Home, where she continued to enjoy the fellowship of saints until her homecall. She was a quiet, consistent sister, who enjoyed the various meetings of the assembly. Our sister was given to prayer, and this will be greatly missed. Please remember her brother Jim, and the other members of the extended family in prayer as they adjust to their loss.
Mr James (Jim) Freeman went to be with the Lord on 10th January. He was a beloved brother, who was so helpful in the assembly which meets in Laganvale Gospel Hall, Belfast. Born in Ballymoney of godly parents, the third of a family of four, he was saved as a boy of 13 years at special Gospel Meetings conducted by a Mr Johnston (an elder in that assembly) as he quoted the lovely verse Isaiah 53.5. He went to work in Belfast and Lurgan, which gave him the necessary experience to start his own business in Lurgan. Jim was a most honest and reliable gentleman to do business with. He became acquainted with Miss Joan Emerson, whom he married, and came into fellowship with the saints at Ormeau Gospel Hall in 1957. That building was sold due to the political unrest, and he, with his wife Joan, moved with the assembly to its new location in South Belfast, and continued to help in the work of the Lord at Laganvale. The Lord blessed him with a beautiful tenor voice, and for many years he was the precentor leading the hymn singing. He also maintained a sharp interest in the Lord’s work abroad, and was a key member of a small committee who planned well-attended Missionary Report Meetings for the benefit of the Province. He was not able to attend the assembly meetings for at least one year due to his illness, but always maintained a keen interest in the welfare of all in the assembly. Jim is greatly missed, especially as an encourager. Please continue to pray for his wife Joan, sisters Ella and Margaret, and brother Bert.
Mrs Hilda Gooding was called Home peacefully to be with her Lord whom she loved and served faithfully, on 19th January, aged 98 years. Neighbours said “What a lovely Christian lady - she always had a smile.” Wife of the late Arthur M S Gooding, she was his companion, chauffeuse, support and personal assistant in his ministry over the 58 years of their married life together. Those who were blessed through Arthur’s teaching owe a great debt to Hilda.
Hilda, from Braintree in Essex, married Arthur, and they came to Scotland in 1942. In the early years of their marriage Hilda ‘held the fort’ by raising their four children while he was away most weekends and evenings, speaking or serving the local church. Once the family had a car, she drove him to and from speaking engagements throughout Great Britain, often on dark roads and late at night. When he went on overseas teaching tours of two to three months duration, she would sometimes accompany him for the first two weeks or so, and then return to care for the family. She was a woman of strong faith. Arthur often said that, whilst he knew his Bible, Hilda was well ahead in terms of faith. Hilda was the first in her family to give her life to the Lord Jesus Christ, whilst attending the Sunday School at the Baptist Church, and was baptised in the Gospel Hall in Braintree. Through her testimony, her parents, siblings and subsequent generations have been blessed. A dearly loved mother, mother-in-law, Grandma and Great-Gran, she will be sorely missed.
Mrs Lilian Mary McDowell (née Webb), born 29th December 1922 in Cambridge, England, and called to be with Christ on 10th January. In 1953, while attending meetings in Joseph Street, Shankill Road, conducted by Tom Ball and John Thompson, she was awakened to her need of salvation, and trusted Christ as her personal Saviour. Later, our dear sister was received into the Kells assembly, where she was a faithful member for many years until her health confined her to home. Our dear sister was a very quiet, reserved, faithful Christian lady, who loved the Scriptures and gave much time to prayer. She was always interested in the spread of the Gospel, and keeping in touch with all the servants of the Lord where they were spreading the glorious message.
Lilian is now at Home, and Scripture reminds us that she is “with Christ; which is far better” (Phil 1.23), where “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick” (Isa 33.24). J Fleck, A Caldwell, R Shaw, F Warwick and J Rogers all helped with her funeral service. Prayer is very much needed and valued for the family circle, as many are yet without Christ.
Miss Margaret McNeill was called Home to Heaven on 12th November 2016, aged 74 years. She was saved as a girl of 15 years, while attending Gospel Meetings conducted by Mr Harold Paisley near Cullybackey in County Antrim. In less than two weeks from her conversion, our sister was baptised and received into the fellowship of the assembly at Harryville, Ballymena. She continued as a very faithful member of that assembly until her homecall. Margaret served in the retail trade in Ballymena all her working life, and had a tremendous Christian testimony amongst her colleagues and the people of the town. She had a lifelong interest in the spread of the Gospel, and was actively engaged in Sunday School work and in using her car to transport adults to meetings over a wide area. Doubtless she will receive significant reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Her very large funeral was clear evidence of the respect in which she was held. The Gospel was preached, and words of comfort given by Wesley Martin in the Gospel Hall, and David Gilliland at the graveside. Other local brethren assisted in tribute and prayer. Prayer is requested for her sister Elizabeth and brother David who, just seven months previously, sustained the loss of their brother Thomas.
Mrs Ruby Smyth passed into the presence of her Saviour on 15th January, aged 87 years. Our sister was born into a Christian home, and attended Donegall Road Gospel Hall with her parents, Mr and Mrs James Whyte, and sister Jean. At the age of 11, under the preaching of Fred Bingham, she came to know the Saviour. Following baptism, aged 14, she was received into fellowship in Ormeau Road Gospel Hall. At the age of 25 she emigrated to Vancouver, and married Leonard Smyth in Fairview Gospel Hall, where they were in happy fellowship. In January 1960, the family returned to Northern Ireland and, in 1961, came into fellowship in Ballymagarrick, where they remained until 2006. The latter years of her life were spent with the saints at Growell. She was predeceased by her husband, Leonard, in 2007. Ruby loved the Lord’s people, and was interested in the Lord’s work. She was faithful, consistent and given to hospitality, and will be keenly missed. The large funeral services were conducted by T Baxter, T Cardy, S Glenn, S Whitten and J Bingham. Prayer is requested for her daughters Lynnette and Joanne, son Adrian, and their families, that they all will come to know the Saviour too.
