Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 24

The one hundred-second session of the Alabama State Sacred Harp Convention met at Mount Pleasant Home Primitive Baptist Church on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in November. Glenn Keeton called the class to order at 9:00 a.m. leading song on page 59. Harrison Creel offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Glenn Keeton 497; Jeff Sheppard 460; Elene Stovall 137; Cassie Franklin, Bud Oliver, and Max Berueffy 73t; Linton Ballinger 299; Rodney Ivey 144; Jewel Wootten and Terry Hullett 441, 145t; Jerry Enright 411; Don Bowen 39b; Richard Ivey 171; Amber Springfield and Kirstin Anderson 142; Harrison Creel 498; Tim Cook 370; John Plunkett 449; Bob Meek and Mike Morris 384; Ashley Keeton 203; Gary Smith 569b; Allison Dodson 335; Julianna Jett 87; Loraine Bayer, Hans Bayer, and Jubal Bayer 278b; Felicia Stevens 454; Alex Makris 303.

RECESS

Glenn Keeton called the class to order leading song on page 146. Leaders: Mary Florence Smith 284; Neila Nicholson 77b; Wilton Donaldson and Ivalene Donaldson 56t; Henry Johnson 539; Cheryl Foreman 107; Richard Mauldin 36b; Nate Green and Norma Green 373; Terre Schill 329; Nancy Yeager 178; John Brode 375; Louis Hughes 492; Regina Bayer 475; S.T. Reed 545; John Redman 143; Edith Tate 37b.

RECESS

Larry Ballinger called the class to order leading song on page 300. Leaders: Daphene Causey 269; John Daniel delRe 274t; Willie Mae Moon 353; Eugene Forbes 340; Aubrey Barfield 551; Lee Rogers 556; Velton Chafin 494; Stephen McMaster 446; Ottis Sides 530; Cathy White 268; Travis Keeton 496; Hubert Nall 49b; Christine Stevens 542; J.C. Rutledge 294; Leyland delRe 504; Tommie Spurlock 430; Bernard Collard 63; Linda Sides 186; Jeanette Nelson 270.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Glenn Keeton leading song on 163b. Leaders: Teenie Moody 277; Jim Helke 170; John Bayer 354t; Bill Stewart 480.

A business session was held for the purpose of electing officers with the following elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Jeff Sheppard; Vice Chairman—David Ivey; Secretaries—Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall; Arranging Committee—Bud Oliver, Max Berueffy, and Cassie Franklin; Memorial Committee—Ruth Brown and Henry Johnson; Finance Committee—Rodney Ivey and Don Bowen; Resolutions Committee—Buell Cobb, Dennis George, and Judy Hauff; Chaplain—Harrison Creel. End of business session.

Leaders: Dennis George 455; Stuart Ivey 192; Tommy George 335; Melaine Hauff 566; John delRe 369; Richard DeLong 336; Lisa Geist 273; Lomax Ballinger 168; Cindy Tanner 198; Reba Windom 224; Charlene Wallace 481; Ted Mercer 352; Jeannette DePoy 328; Danny Creel 383; Samuel Sommers 112; Lynne deBenedette 182.

RECESS

David Ivey brought the class back to order leading song on page 462. Leaders: Laura Clawson 362; Hershell King 97; Tim Reynolds 468; Tish Crocker 490; Judy Hauff 522; Dave Ressler 216; Sandie Scott 408; Kelly Macklin 157; Gary Gronau 550; Lela Crowder 374; Karen Isbell 348b; Judy Mincey 474; Rebecca Browne 304; Hans Guttmann 76b; Karen Freund 30b; Ted Johnson 48b (in memory of Freeman Wootten); Genny Whitworth 212; David Yeager 225t (for Lonnie Rogers).

Announcements were made. Jeff Sheppard and David Ivey led song on page 46 as the closing song. Harrison Creel dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, November 25

The Sunday morning session began with Chairman Jeff Sheppard leading song on page 61. Chaplain Harrison Creel offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: David Ivey 121; Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall 270; Bud Oliver, Max Berueffy, and Cassie Franklin 145t; Henry Johnson 425; Don Bowen 82t; Judy Hauff and Dennis George 300; Harrison Creel 111b; Lena Keeton 546; Floy Wilder 350; B.J. Harris 503; Mattie Townsel 68b; Richard Mauldin 72b; Evelyn Harris 89; Coy Ivey and Elene Stovall 384; Christine Stevens 318; B.M. Smith 475; Willie Mae Moon 498; Karen Ivey 208; Karen Buche Clark 474; Bernard Collard 217; LaRue Allen 316.

RECESS

Sarah Harcrow and Rodney Ivey brought the class back to order leading song on page 186. Leaders: Chris Green 196; Gib Amason and Vernelle Amason 143; John Bealle 240; Allison Dodson 145b; Jackson Harcrow 48t; Felicia Stevens 155; Loraine Bayer, Hans Bayer, and Jubal Bayer 133; Neila Nicholson and Alexandra Makris 40; Adrian Nall 288; Charles Franklin 74b; Wanda Capps 171; David Light 192; Eloise Clark 179; Shelbie Sheppard 183; Charles Woods 39t; Cheryl Foreman 32b; Jim Carnes 209; Samuel Sommers 426b; Toney Smith 499; Charlene Wallace 267.

RECESS

Dennis George brought the class back to order leading song on page 101t. Leaders: Allison Davis 436; Buell Cobb 26; Judy Mincey 571; Stephen McMaster 282; Chita Blakeley 283; Leyland delRe and Regina Bayer 528; Jeanette Nelson 547; John Brode 57; Karen Freund 172; Kelly Macklin 377; Karen Isbell 372; Hans Guttmann 99; Ted Johnson 419.

Ruth Brown and Henry Johnson presented the memorial lesson. Ruth Brown talked about the recent national tragedy of September 11th and counting our blessings of being able to join together and fellowship as Sacred Harp singers. While using verses from different songs, she expressed that we get hope and love from the fellowship of singing together.

Henry Johnson read the list of the remembered deceased: Freeman Wootten, Roie Alexander, I.V. Cockrell, Shelia Moon, Ruby Creel, A.C. McGough, Eloise Watkins, Eula Johnson, Cecil Edwards, Woodie Walker, Nelda Tolbert, Grady Price, Eron White, Ted White, and Tommye Denson Mauldin—Alabama; Susan Garber—Connecticut; Jack Corley, Clyde Windom, and J.J. Aderhold—Georgia; Marilyn Hood—Florida; Jerilyn Schumacher—Illinois; Roger Brooks—Kentucky; Bob Todd—Pennsylvania; Bruce Helton—Tennessee; Nobie Smith and Mildred Edmonds—Texas; Buddy Nelson—Wisconsin; Mary Kay Friday—Washington, D.C. Henry Johnson led song on page 341.

Ruth Brown read a verse of scripture and then read the names of the sick and shut-ins while the class hummed song on page 285t: Mozelle Sheppard, Vivian Rogers, Elsie Beasley, Kelly Beard, Katherine Benefield, Stephanie Rubin, Everet Yoder, Regina Weber, Charles R. Farris, Jap Walton, Joyce Walton, Lawrence Underwood, Lula Underwood, Jean Barton, Polly Moore, Betty Wright, Roy Nelson, Louise Nelson, Marie Ivey, Charlie Derleth, Gladys McGraw, Revy Williamson, Reby Stanford, Dot Garber, Amacie Smith, Bill Green, E.M. Robbins, Kathleen Robbins, and Helen Stevens. Ruth Brown led song on page 340 for the sick and shut-ins. Mary Florence Smith closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

LUNCH

Amber Springfield brought the afternoon session to order leading song on page 276. Leaders: Dave Ressler 298; Jackie Tanner 222; Jerry Enright 77t; Susan Harcrow 430; Betty Shepherd 216; Tommy George 87; Laura Clawson and Lela Crowder 379; Lynne deBenedette 442; Rebecca Browne 218; Richard DeLong 411; Judy Hauff 456; Reba Windom and Sharon DuPriest 542; Ted Mercer 182; Terre Schill 301; Stuart Ivey 189; Melanie Hauff 564; Mary Florence Smith and Teenie Moody 383; Ricky Harcrow 299; Lee Rogers 464; John Bayer 496; Billy Williams 96; David Yeager 229.

RECESS

Richard Ivey brought the afternoon session to order leading song on page 567. Leaders: Gary Gronau 448t; Louis Hughes 344; John Daniel delRe 332; Jim Helke 33b; Rodger Morrison, Jr. 358; John delRe 326; Ila Ingle 434; Cassie Franklin 440; Nancy Yeager 479; Edith Tate and Max Berueffy 532; Daphene Causey 391; John Redman 105.

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

The Finance Committee report was given by Linda Thomas. Balance brought forward $2,609.84; collection $1,158.00; total forward $3,767.84. Expenditures: supplies and food $435.00; gift to the church $250.00; cleaning of church $75.00; minutes $60.00. Total expenses $820.00. Balance after expenses $2,947.84. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the report as given.

Max Berueffy of the Arranging Committee reported that there were 221 leaders from 17 states and the United Kingdom that led during the two-day convention.

The Resolutions Committee report was given by Dennis George. Whereas in this 102nd annual session of the Alabama State Sacred Harp Singing Convention, we have been privileged to enjoy another wonderful session of singing and fellowship. Therefore let it be resolved that we give thanks to:

1. God;
2. The members of Mount Pleasant Home Primitive Baptist Church;
3. All who participated in preparing or providing the wonderful meals and refreshments both days of the convention;
4. The officers and committees;
5. All who came from near and far.

The business session was closed. Announcements were made.

Jeff Sheppard and David Ivey led song on page 62 as the closing song while those who wished took the parting hand. Chris Green closed the convention with prayer.

Chairman—Jeff Sheppard; Vice Chairman—David Ivey; Secretaries—Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall.