Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 10

The twenty-first annual session of the Smith County Sacred Harp Singing Convention met at the New Harmony Community Center, Smith County, Tyler, Texas on the second Sunday and Saturday before in March.

Gaylon Powell called the convention to order leading song on page 406. Chaplain Dallas Smith offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Chairman Gaylon Powell 217; Vice Chairman Scott Curran 112, 132; Treasurer Sue Utz 475, 335; Kelly Beard 377t, 278t; Curtis Owen 511t, 489; Sarah Coates 140, 192; John Beard 270, 384; Monnie Ross 422t, 49t; Mike Moseley 99, 76b; Owen Ross 182, 546; Liz Owen 98, 54t; Beverly Coates 183, 393b; Dale Redmon, Jr. 507b, 540; Phyllis Costner 222, 172.

RECESS

Scott Curran called the class to order leading song on page 68t. Leaders: Jeb Owen 376, 179; Dustin Rounsavall 522, 128; Edith Owen 508, 559; Bruce Coates 571, 488b; Donald Ross 67 (for Jr. Smith), 211; John Kanode 500, 63; Tina Walston 107, 497; Lee Walston 107, 45t; Myra Palmer 235 (by request).

Dallas Smith gave the welcome address and called on Brother Robbie Caldwell to offer the noon prayer.

LUNCH

Gaylon Powell called the afternoon session to order leading song on page 35. Leaders: Robert Vaughn 373, 108; Diane Ross 40, 299; Lawson Smith 142, 53; Pauline Willis 572; Reed Coates 186, 143; Billy Huckaby 282, 450; Azalee Barnett 84, 447t; Ernestine Pipkin 171, 276; Leon Ballinger 297, 137; Marcelene Hardy 164, 189; Myrl Jones 110, 300; Margaret Rounsavall 358, 61; Myra Palmer 414.

Gaylon Powell made the following committee appointments: Memorial Committee—Scott Curran, Liz Owen, and Dustin Rounsavall; Nominating Committee—Margaret Rounsavall, Myra Palmer, and Azalee Barnett.

RECESS

Gaylon Powell brought the class back to order leading song on page 432. Leaders: Neil Vaught 38b, 127; Avon Miller 550, 552; Thomas Smith 288, 304; Sharon Stephenson 418, 516; Mary Bachmann 225t, 38t; Terre Schill 567, 536; Phyllis Costner 306; Owen Ross 434; Reed Coates 212; Sarah Coates 203; Mike Moseley 319.

Don Ross led song on page 496t as the closing song. Dallas Smith offered the closing prayer.

Sunday, March 11

Gaylon Powell called the class to order leading song on page 70t. John Kanode offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Gaylon Powell 36b; Sue Utz 404, 282; Scott Curran 290, 168; Cheryl Foreman 31t, 77t; Myrl Jones 500, 563; Burl Russell 491, 418; Kelly Beard 87, 48t; John Kanode 395b; Marcelene Hardy 112, 127; Jeb Owen 76b, 384.

A business meeting was held. The Nomination Committee presented the following slate of officers: Chairman—Scott Curran; Vice Chairman—Jeb Owen; Secretary—Tammy Powell; Treasurer—Sue Utz; Chaplain—Dallas Smith. The slate was passed unanimously.

RECESS

Scott Curran called the class back to order leading song on page 168b. Leaders: Liz Owen 155, 215; Dustin Rounsavall 137, 299; Myra Palmer 497; Lee Walston 107 45t; Mary Bachmann 341, 505; Ernestine Pipkin 279, 331b; Terre Schill 176t, 521; Kelly Beard 73t, 218; Thomas Smith 235, 192; Burl Russell 75, 164; Cheryl Foreman 470, 410; John Kanode 515, 229; Lee Walston 118, 401.

A memorial lesson was held. Liz Owen read the names of the deceased: Alcie Craig, Mildred Edmonds, Annie Mae Smith, Lorene Hutchinson, Lucy Leopard Taylor, Marie Aldridge, Rosa Hughes, and Anna Ballinger Smith. Dustin Rounsavall led song on page 285 in memory of the deceased.

Liz Owen read the names of the sick and shut-ins: Verna Powell, J.W. Barnett, Jr., Marie Smith, Herman Upchurch, and Bertha Upchurch. Scott Curran led song on page 336t to honor those who could not be with us. Gaylon Powell appointed Scott Curran to lead song on page 571 and Jeb Owen to lead song on page 358 as a special request for Nobie Smith.

Dallas Smith offered prayer for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Gaylon Powell brought the afternoon session to order leading song on page 42t. Leaders: Marcelene Hardy 172, 100; Jeb Owen 559, 377b; Sharon Stephenson 274, 572; Myrl Jones 442, 332; Liz Owen 371, 268t; Mary Bachmann 400, 386; Terre Schill 558, 543; Ernestine Pipkin 293b, 88b; Thomas Smith 129, 82; Scott Curran 203, 98; Gaylon Powell 383, 200; Burl Russell 64; Cheryl Foreman 148; Kelly Beard 224; John Kanode 146; Marcelene Hardy 189; Lee Walston 546; Jeb Owen 535t; Thomas Smith 304; Myrl Jones 199; Sharon Stephenson 573; Liz Owen 32t; Terre Schill 28b; Sue Utz 507b, 174.

Gaylon Powell led song on page 54 as the closing song. Dallas Smith offered the closing prayer.

Chairman—Gaylon Powell; Vice Chairman—Scott Curran; Secretary—Tammy Powell.