Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 13

The one hundredth session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association was held at Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church near Snead Cross Roads, Alabama on the second Sunday and Saturday before in September. The class was brought to order by Max Berueffy leading 32t. Harrison Creel offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Max Berueffy 36b; Secretary Nora Parker 317; Harrison Creel 335; Jerry Enright 101t; Cassie Franklin 76b; Marlin Beasley 480; Berkley Moore 67; Bridgett Hill 276; Coy Ivey 99; S.T. Reed 138b; Hershell King 204; Cathryn Baker 436; Pat Temple 72b; Billy Huckaby 282; Edith Tate 73t.

RECESS

The class reassembled with Cassie Franklin leading 88t. Leaders Don Clark 171; Charles McCravy 143; Norma Green 354t; Roy Turrentine 146; Neila Nicholson 87; Gary Smith 31t; Mary Wright 121; Richard Mauldin 66; Jewel Wootten 138b; Alex Makris 84; Ricky Harcrow (who welcomed everyone) 163t.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Susan Harcrow; Vice Chairman—Jackson Harcrow; Secretary (Permanent)—Nora Parker; Assistant Secretary—Cindy Tanner; Chaplain—Jeb Owen; Arranging Committee—Cassie Franklin and Lela Crowder; Memorial Committee—Danny Creel, Karen Freund, and Jeannette DePoy; Resolutions Committee—Chris Green and Sarah Jenkins; Finance Committee—Rodney Ivey, Blake Sizemore, and Aaron Wootten; Locating Committee—David Ivey and Coy Ivey. End of business session.

Leaders: Charlene Wallace 349; Mattie Townsel 388; Henry Johnson 29b; Terre Schill 298; Genny Whitworth 338; Sue Bunch and Morgan Bunch 485; Blake Sizemore 59; Chris Green 318; Leon Ballinger 460; Sarah Smith 290.

A photo was made of the group that attended the 100th session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association.

Also, a history of the convention was printed and was available for a donation of at least $25.00 to the Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Jackson Harcrow leading 358. Leaders: Don Bowen 503; Jennifer Allred 455; Pinina Kane 61; Elsie Moon 177; Herby Bailey 569b; John Plunkett 464; Betty Wright 410t; Wilton Donaldson and Ivalene Donaldson 274t; Doug Conn 400; Susan Allred 112; Flarce Creel 475; David Carlton 528; Phil Summerlin 35.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Susan Harcrow leading 159 and 430. Leaders: Chris Rice 384; Jeb Owen 208; Amber Springfield 402; Jimmy Ballinger 565; Ann Jett 327; B.M. Smith 273; Lela Crowder 328; Danny Creel 383; Lynne deBenedette 196; Linton Ballinger 297; Liz Owen 29t; David Ivey 203; Rachel Allred 39t; Laura Clawson 542; Karen Clark 569t; Jackie Tanner 182; Jenny Jensen 353; Judy Hauff 71; Rodney Ivey and Loyd Ivey 348b; Sarah Coates Huckaby 319; Ted Mercer 419; Karen Freund 216; Richard DeLong 411; Melanie Hauff 564; Sally House 448t; Greg Carroll 49b.

RECESS

Susan Harcrow called the class to order leading 123t. Leaders: Jeannette DePoy 201; Stan Jensen 300; Sarah Jenkins 532; Julietta Haynes 211; Aaron Wootten and Jackson Harcrow 421; Cindy Tanner 434; Bud Oliver 278b; Billy Williams 299.

Susan Harcrow led 46 as the closing song, Chaplain Jeb Owen offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, September 14

The Sunday session was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Susan Harcrow leading 32t. Chaplain Jeb Owen offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Susan Harcrow 75; Jackson Harcrow 282; Blake Sizemore, Jackson Harcrow, and Travis Peek 59; Nora Parker 276; Cindy Tanner 217; Jeb Owen 362; Lela Crowder 171; Cassie Franklin 216 (for Wanda Capps); Rodney Ivey 440; Chris Green 418; Sarah Jenkins 142; Danny Creel 269; Karen Freund 428; Jeannette DePoy 55; David Ivey 472; Henry Schuman 426b; Teenie Moody 222; Glenn Keeton 163b; John Hyde 297; Cathryn Baker 318; Terry Hullett 421; Joel Jenkins and Susan Harcrow 186; Willie Mae Moon 411; David Light 110.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Aaron Wootten leading 270. Leaders: Gary Smith 569b; Sally House 299; Milton Oliver 176t; Mary Lambert Smith 383; Charles Franklin 358; Wilton Donaldson and Ivalene Donaldson 499; Josie Hyde 507; Terre Schill 396; Randall Smith 76b; Richard Mauldin 133; Mary Wright 148; Lucy Heidorn 40; Wayne Wootten and Marty Wootten 441; Billy Huckaby 47b; Kathy Robinson 192 (for Kathleen Robins); Jamey Wootten, Hayden Wooten, and Jared Wootten 282.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by Jackie Tanner and Rodney Ivey leading 81t. Leaders: Karen Ivey 288; Donna Wootten 56t; Ken Tate 29t; Ivey Ellis and Allison Ivey 87.

Karen Freund conducted the memorial lesson. Karen spoke of the discomfort of speaking before a crowd, but when she was at a Sacred Harp singing, this task became easier with the love she had from all the people around her. She stated that the love was like none other ever experienced. We enjoy the singing, fellowship, and what we feel is love. When we can’t make it to a singing, we miss this love of our fellow singers. Perhaps, those that are on the sick and shut-in list would have been here today if they had not been ill. So, we pause to remember those that are sick and enfold them in our love. Please remember these folks with cards, phone calls, e-mail messages, and visits to let them know that we love and care for them, and miss their not being with us today. Jeannette DePoy read the list of the sick and shut-ins. Jeannette DePoy and Karen Freund then led 27 for those named: Viola Stark, Ophelia Matthews, Lebron Hinton, Dick Mauldin, Kelly Beard, John Hocutt, Jap Walton, Joyce Walton, Cathy White, Violet Thomason, Dennis Beasley, Pauline Childers, Eldora Moody, Bill Green, Beufa Green, Edna Jackson, Elsie Beasley, Ernie Jett, Gail Floyd, Betty Shepherd, and Carolyn Denson.

Danny Creel spoke about the deceased singers. Jeannette DePoy read the list of the deceased: B.E. Matthews—Texas; Everette Denney and Vivian Rogers—Georgia; Ruth Brown, James Townson, Lavaughn Ballinger, Harvey Austin, Leola Smith, Albert Ryals, Zelma Dell Harcrow, Elder Donald Smith, Clara Smith, Danny Lester, Alpha Black, Lamar Smith, Jane Phillips, Lucille Burks, Charlotte Hinkle, and Dessie Goodman—Alabama; Cecilia Hauff—South Dakota. Danny Creel led 275b for the deceased and closed the memorial with prayer.

Leaders: Shane Wootten 97; Mike Hinton 480; Amanda Denson 442; Richard Ivey 336; Chris Ballinger 300.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Susan Harcrow leading 200. Leaders: Max Berueffy 532; Larry Ballinger 215; Stuart Ivey 99; Richard DeLong 112; Lisa Geist 224; Sarah Coates Huckaby 39t; Leon Ballinger and Linton Ballinger 212; Darlene Dalton 454; Jennifer Allred 178; Terry Wootten 42; Lynne deBenedette 36b; Jenny Jensen 34t; Coy Ivey, Karen Ivey, and Ivey Ellis 384; Travis Keeton 392; Buell Cobb 69b; Will Allred 354b; Laura Clawson 430; Ted Mercer 352; Judith Green 542; Jerry Enright 77t. Marlin Beasley spoke about the Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, and of its purpose of providing scholarships, 21 this year. Melanie Hauff led 456.

A business session was held for the purpose of hearing reports from various committees.

Sarah Jenkins and Chris Green, Resolutions Committee, offered the following report. The Holy Scripture instructs God’s children to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs making melody in their heart to the Lord; and, we recognize that it is through singing that we have the privilege of coming into the Lord’s presence. It is the sincere desire of Sacred Harp singers to use their time, talent, and treasure to praise God through song. Let it therefore be resolved by the 100th session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association that thanks be given to God for his wonderful blessings to us. We also thank:

• The Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church family with an extended sincere appreciation for their wonderful hospitality;
• Each one who helped in providing food and refreshments;
• And, the convention officers for an excellent job well done.

We encourage each singer to faithfully continue the great tradition of Sacred Harp singing until the time when all God’s children sing together in Heaven.

David Ivey and Coy Ivey, Locating Committee, reported the 101st session will be held at Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church in Dunwoody, Georgia on the second Sunday and Saturday before in September 2004.

The Finance Committee Report was given. The balance brought forward was $1,222.55; total expenses for the convention was $611.92; a collection was received in the amount of $601.00; leaving a balance on hand of $1,211.63.

A proposal was made by Jerry Enright to provide $100 to assist in the expenses of the United Convention history booklet compiled by Susan Harcrow, John Plunkett, Joyce Walton, and others. The convention voted and passed to contribute the $100.00. The $100.00 is included above in the total expenses of the convention.

A total of 11 states were represented during the two days of singing. The business session was closed.

RECESS

The class was reassembled with Susan Harcrow and Rodney Ivey leading 455 (for Jap and Joyce Walton, who were unable to attend). Leaders: Rachel Allred 489; Harrison Creel and Flarce Creel 512; Robert Walker 68b; Wayne Hartman 72b; Kaleb Allred 401; Berkley Moore 179; Liz Owen 129; Stan Jensen 122; Henry Johnson 326; Julietta Haynes 172; Judy Hauff 546; Jewel Wootten 283; Billy Williams 78; Sarah Smith 108t; Chita Blakeley 278b; Coy Ivey 486t (WB).

Announcements were made. Susan Harcrow and Jackson Harcrow led 146 as the closing song as all who wished took the parting hand. Chaplain Jeb Owen dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Susan Harcrow; Vice Chairman—Jackson Harcrow; Chaplain—Jeb Owen; Secretary—Nora Parker; Assistant Secretary—Cindy Tanner.