Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The ninety-seventh session of the annual Sacred Harp singing was held at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Natural Bridge, Alabama on the third Sunday in June. The class was called to order by Travis Keeton leading 47t. Velton Chafin offered the morning prayer. Travis Keeton led 56t.

The class was organized with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Travis Keeton; Vice Chairman—John Hyde; Secretary—Debbie Wakefield; Arranging Committee—Faye Donaldson and Josie Hyde.

Leaders: Travis Keeton 129; Kermit Adams 76b, 85, 37b; Wilton Donaldson 75, 32t, 30t; Willodean Barton 63, 101t, 270; Ozella Blackmon 145t, 112; Velton Chafin 144, 68b; John Hyde 313t, 544; Leon Ballinger 460, 99; Brenda Merritt 29t, 39t, 542; Earl Ballinger 177, 176t, 146; Clarence McCool 176b, 172.

RECESS

John Hyde led 124 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Jon Tyler Baccus 108t, 45t; Lena Keeton 454, 546, 475; Parnell Berry 278b, 283; Beth O’Dell 186, 222, 217; Gravis Ballinger 34b, 49t, 216; Lisa Geist 394, 568, 549.

LUNCH

The class resumed singing with Travis Keeton leading 566. Leaders: Larry Ballinger 162, 163b, 164; the family of the late Sim and Catherine Wakefield (Cecil Wakefield, Wayne Wakefield, Wendell Wakefield, Larry Wakefield, Nadine Willis, Clara Stults, Julie Poston, Faye Donaldson, Helen Langston, Betty Baccus, and Debbie Wakefield) 153, 426t, 333; Steve Adams and Lisa Geist 401, 101t, 517 (WB); Roma Rice 109, 338, 34t; Debbie Wakefield 426b, 432, 391; Josie Hyde 155, 371, 507; Faye Donaldson 430, 225t; Cecil Wakefield 208, 358, 159, 294; Betty Baccus and Alfie Mobley 111t, 388; Larry Wakefield 569b, 339; Wendell Wakefield 168, 421.

Travis Keeton led 46 as the closing song. Earl Ballinger offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Travis Keeton; Vice Chairman—John Hyde; Secretary—Debbie Wakefield.