Mrs Elizabeth Banks (née Speirs) was called Home into the presence of her Lord and Saviour on 10th February, aged 73, after a period of illness similar in nature to that of her beloved husband, William, who was called Home just over six years ago. Saved as a young girl on 27th March 1956, aged 12, she was baptised by the end of that same year and received into fellowship in Bridgend Gospel Hall, Kilwinning. For a number of years she was in fellowship in Loan Hall, Stevenston, where she married William Banks of Dreghorn. Elizabeth returned to Bridgend Gospel Hall with William, and their son and daughter, in 1982, where she remained in happy fellowship until her homecall. Together with her husband, Elizabeth faithfully supported all the assembly gatherings, and they were noted for their regular hospitality and an ‘open door’ for all the Lord’s people.
After the homecall of William, on 12th October 2010, Elizabeth spent much of her time providing practical support for the work at Faskally House, where she worked tirelessly in the kitchen. She also utilised her auxiliary nursing experience in the provision of voluntary support and home care to help ease the burden for a number of needy saints. Her funeral service, conducted by family members, filled the local Mansfield Trinity Church, and bore testimony to the high regard in which she was held by family, friends, fellow believers and neighbours. Please remember in prayer her daughter Jacqueline and son Raymond, along with their respective spouses and their families, who provided unsparing and loving care during her illness.
Miss Joyce Elizabeth Coulter was called Home on 22nd January, after a short illness. Joyce was known affectionately as ‘Miss Coulter’ due to her academic career. When she retired she held the position of Vice-Principal at Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena. More important to Joyce was her Christian career: she was saved as a girl of 14, came into assembly fellowship, and for many years was in fellowship with the Crosskeys assembly, Co Antrim. From early days Joyce’s love for the saints, for children, and indeed to all she encountered was evident. Our sister was faithful and helpful in the assembly, in entertaining and catering, in missionary outreach and in her work with CEF, all done in a spirit of humility without looking for reward. It goes without saying that Joyce will be greatly missed in the assembly, and in many places where her help was valued. Her funeral service was conducted on 24th January in Randalstown Gospel Hall (kindly granted), where a large number attended, some standing outside where the service was relayed.
Mrs Jean Hawkins was called Home to Heaven on 25th January, in her 81st year. Jean was born into a Christian home, in the Joseph Street area of Belfast, the fourth child of William and Sarah Thompson. She came to know the Lord as a girl, and was later baptised. After her marriage and the birth of her three children, the family moved to the Newtownabbey area. It was there, through the influence of her neighbour, that Jean came into fellowship in Cloughfern Gospel Hall. In 1996, Jean suffered a life-changing stroke. However, she maintained her happy disposition despite her disability. She loved to sing, and continued this right up until her passing. Her latter years were spent in nursing care. Predeceased by her husband in 1981, Jean will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Prayer is requested for her daughter, two sons, and the family circle.
Mr Eric Langford, aged 91, was called Home on 22nd February. Having been saved as a boy of 12 under the preaching of David Craig, in meetings in Ballyhackamore in November 1937, he attended the Bible Classes conducted by Mr Willie Lavery, and greatly enjoyed the company of believers. In 1939 he was received into fellowship in Ballyhackamore, until 1949, when he moved with his parents to Lisburn and came into fellowship in the Wallace Avenue assembly. In 1971 he married Miss Brenda McKee and, in 1973, he moved with his wife to Belfast and met with the believers at Lower Windsor. For over 40 years he was a wise, caring and respected overseer, and he also served as a convenor of the Belfast Easter and Christmas Conferences, right up to the age of 90. His funeral was conducted by D Radcliffe and R Reynolds, with local brethren assisting in tribute and prayer. Please remember his wife Brenda, and his sole surviving sister Anna, who have sustained a great loss.
Mr Samuel (Sammy) Magill, aged 92, was called Home to be with the Lord on 19th February. He was born in Donaghcloney, Co Down on 12th June 1924, and was saved in the same village on 3rd September 1954 through the personal visitation of Mr Albert McShane during a spell of illness. His wife-to-be, Anne Gallagher, was saved three days before him, through the preaching of Mr Bunting. They were later married, and went eventually to reside in Banbridge. He was in fellowship for around 55 years in the assembly that gathers in Victoria Street, Banbridge, and attended until illness hindered him in the latter years of life. Sammy was a quiet brother who showed forth the kindness of God to all he came into contact with, without reserve or distinction. Prayer is requested and very much valued for his sorrowing widow, daughters, son and grandchildren.
Miss Annie (Netta) McIlveen was born in Crossmaglen on 12th April 1939, and called Home on 19th January. She was saved on 28th January 1958 through the words of John 3.16, while attending meetings conducted by Mr Joshua Hewitt and Mr Norman Tinsley. The conversion earlier that evening of her younger sister, Violet, had been a voice to her. Netta was in happy fellowship with the saints who meet in Newtownhamilton Gospel Hall, until ill health prevented her from attending the meetings. Despite a long period of illness, she lived a quiet, consistent life, and maintained her happy disposition. Mr T Wright conducted her funeral service in the home, and Mr D McKinley (Canada) spoke at the graveside, where many of her neighbours and friends heard the Gospel clearly preached. Please remember her sister Violet, brothers Norman, Robert and Walter, and other family members in prayer, some of whom are still unsaved.
Mr John Parker was called into the presence of the Lord on 21st February. Born on 18th June 1937, saved as a young boy, and then baptised as a teenager, John was in fellowship in the local assemblies in Linwood, Kilbarchan and, latterly, in Bridge of Weir. Despite being in full-time secular employment, John was actively involved in preaching the Gospel, and also spent many weeknights ministering the Word in various assemblies throughout Scotland. This help was greatly appreciated by local believers. To a lesser extent, he was also involved in speaking at Saturday night meetings and conferences, with the first being in 1967 at Lochore in Fife. In the years after he took early retirement, he devoted a lot of time to visiting Machermore and Dunoon to give help with teaching the Scriptures.
Most people would associate John with Kilbarchan assembly, where he was correspondent for many years. He held a weekly Bible Class providing systematic teaching, and also shared responsibility for arranging speakers. With his wife Jean, he extended much hospitality to preachers and other visitors alike. John loved Bible Readings, and his holidays for the last 27 years of his life were spent in Kilravock/Forres, Eastbourne, and at the annual Yorkshire Bible Study week. The Ayr Bible Readings were also a permanent fixture on his calendar. Prayer is requested for his wife Jean and daughter Fiona.
Mrs Nora Wylie was born in 1935, the second daughter of the Cunliff family from the Lancashire town of Leyland. She was saved as a teenager and, from that time, lived out her profession brightly and effectively. Nora met her husband-to-be, Drew, at a Christian Endeavour camp in Northern Ireland. After their marriage, 57 years ago, Nora came to live in the Lanarkshire village of Lesmahagow, and was embraced and respected by the villagers throughout her years there. A prolific letter writer, she kept in contact with Sunday School and Bible Class scholars right up to the week of her homecall on 29th February, following a short illness. Her three children were all schooled and raised in the village, and were seen to be a credit to the godly atmosphere of the family home. The several hundred villagers and family friends who gathered for her burial bore witness to the quality of the life well lived amongst them, always with a view to the glory of God. Her faithfulness to, and the work done amongst, the Lesmahagow assembly will be very much missed, but not forgotten.
