Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing held at County Line Church on the second Sunday in April was called to order by Chairman Harrison Creel leading song on page 317. Glenn Keeton led the morning prayer.

Leaders: Harrison Creel 89; Cassie Franklin 448b, 192 (for Sara Black); Lucy Heidorn 40; Dennis George 203; Josie Hyde 507; Clayton Ezell 300; Glenn Keeton 27; Lomax Ballinger 277; Lora Cargo 460; Chris Ballinger 276; Ivalene Donaldson 328; Kenneth Tate 426b; Max Berueffy and Elene Stovall 336; Amber Springfield 186; Eugene Forbes 155; Travis Keeton 290; Mary Florence Smith 29t; Willodean Barton 82t.

RECESS

Cassie Franklin called the class to order leading song on page 503. Leaders: Henry Guthery 543; Gordon Wilkinson 112; Jarrod George 454; Teenie Moody 430; Danny Creel 269; Henry Schuman and Pauline Childers 318; Larry Ballinger 151; Julianna Jett 87, 88t (in memory of Marie Aldridge); Lisa Geist 411 (for Elmer Conwill); Earlis McGraw 389; Nate Green 473; Frank Hattaway 565; Dewayne Hawthorne 341; Chip Ward 442.

RECESS

Harrison Creel called the class to order leading song on page 111b. Leaders: Bud Oliver 145t; Ed Bass 299; Jerry Ryan 345t (in memory of Tommy Creel); John Hyde 275b; Gravis Ballinger 91; Charlotte McCarn 100; Wilborn Ellison 147t; Earl Ballinger 313 (t? b?); Shelley Capps 512; Ray Tate and Danny Creel 384; Ted Mercer 123b; Hugh McGraw 324.

Hugh McGraw, representing the Sacred Harp Publishing Company, presented a plaque to the children of Marie Creel Aldridge honoring her posthumously for her untiring support of, and dedicated service to, the cause of Sacred Harp music. He told about the first time that he saw her and described her unique style of leading. Following the presentation, her children, grandson, brother, and sisters led song on page 436, one of her favorite songs (Lucy Heidorn, daughter; Jerry Ryan, son; David Heidorn, grandson; Elene Stovall, stepdaughter; Harrison Creel, brother; Pauline Childers and Edith Tate, sisters). Harrison Creel led song on page 342. Cindy Tanner led songs on pages 198 and 327 (for Shelbie Sheppard and Velton Chafin).

LUNCH

Harrison Creel called the afternoon session to order leading song on page 335. Leaders: Chris Green 280; Charlene Wallace 434; Ann Jett 546; Linton Ballinger 217; Elene Stovall 528 (in memory of Marie Aldridge); Jackie Tanner 138t; Richard DeLong 301; Henry Johnson 285t; Faye Donaldson 78; Lavern Bass 143; John Etheridge 499; Harrison Creel, Flarce Creel, Danny Creel, Ann Jett, Wanda Capps, and Cindy Tanner 475; Ila Ingle 373; Pauline Childers 480; Rodney Ivey and Bud Oliver 270; Wilton Donaldson 30t; Wanda Capps 222; L.E. Hannah 310; Billy Williams 28b; Margaret Keeton 298; Tim Whitaker 32t; Celeste Sharplin and Amber Springfield 45t; Edith Tate, Ray Tate, Fay Kalteux, Nell Ellis, and Edie Richardson 343, 159; Harrison Creel 378b.

RECESS

Cassie Franklin and Rodney Ivey called the class to order leading song on page 76b. Leaders: Jerry Ryan 111t; Edith Tate 532; Dewayne Hawthorne, Rodney Ivey, and John Etheridge 34t, 348b; Teenie Moody and Mary Florence Smith 441; Chris Ballinger and Lisa Geist 110; Ray Tate, Kenneth Tate, and Julie Tate 119; Lora Cargo and Eugene Forbes 36b; Jarrod George and Dennis George 358 (for Teddy Creel); Henry Johnson and Elene Stovall 176t; Henry Guthery 240; Amber Springfield and Glenn Keeton 142.

Announcements were made. Harrison Creel and Cassie Franklin led song on page 225t as the closing song. Danny Creel offered the closing prayer.

Chairman—Harrison Creel; Vice Chair—Cassie Franklin; Arranging Committee—Cindy Tanner and Edith Tate; Secretary—Lucy Heidorn.