Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The one hundred-thirteenth session of the Cleburne County Sacred Harp Singing Convention met at Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church near Heflin, Alabama on the third Sunday in August.

Chairman Billy J. Harris called the class to order leading song on page 72b. Harvey Austin offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Billy J. Harris 303; Eunice Webb 283, 30b, 282; Mary Lambert Smith 103, 421 (for I.V. McWhorter on her birthday, August 18th).

Eunice Webb led the Introductory Lesson from a 1936 Edition of “The Sacred Harp” which was presented to the Cleburne County Sacred Harp Singing Convention in memory of the late J.W. Laminack. Stipulations for the use of the book are that the person conducting the Introductory Lesson should choose selections from this book, and that the book not be used at any other time. The selections chosen were songs on pages 73b and 45t.

Leaders: Glenda Collins and husband 81t, 290; Jimmie Denney 101t; LaRue Allen 371, 336; Earlis McGraw 271 (t? b?), 225t (for his mother, Gladys McGraw); Betty Wright 503, 569b; Everette Denney 323b, 405.

A business session was held with the class electing or appointing the following officers: Chairperson—Eunice Webb; Vice Chairman—Harvey Austin; Secretary—Mary Lambert Smith; Arranging Committee—Hester Edwards; Memorial Committee—Mary Lambert Smith.

RECESS

Vice Chairman Harvey Austin called the class together leading song on page 335. Leaders: Carlene Griffin 135, 139; Bobby Jackson 489, 568; Milton Oliver 176t, 155; Charlene Wallace 73b, 299; Louise Holland 186, 143; B.M. Smith 284, 276; Virginia Dyer 63, 546; Hugh McGraw 545; Evelyn Harris 47t, 89; Lois Owen 168, 460.

Mary Lambert Smith conducted the memorial lesson and spoke of the memories that God has given to us of loved ones that have passed away. Her comments were concerning admonitions from the book of Psalms to sing praises, and that God gave us a joyful heart to sing and be happy, and that God is always there to comfort us. She reminded us to think happy of the deceased, and when it is time for someone to sing in our memory, we will all have happy memories to leave.

Jeff Sheppard led song on page 280 for the following deceased: George Rogers, Sr., John Eric Reaves, Ike Stanford, Flora Skinner, Polly Moore, and Oakie Austin.

B.M. Smith led song on page 318 for the sick and shut-ins which included: Lonnie Rogers, Vivian Rogers, Alice Edwards, I.V. McWhorter, Mozelle Sheppard, and many others. We miss all these folks who are unable to attend, and we are grateful to have Betty Wright and Gladys Simmons with us today. Moena Denney closed the memorial with prayer.

LUNCH

Eunice Webb called the afternoon session to order leading song on page 235. Leaders: Reba Norton 177, 164; Bud Oliver 278b, 170; Teenie Moody 98, 384; Howard McGuire 340, 354 (t? b?); Margie Smith 512, 494; Henry Johnson 138t, 138b (the class sang “Happy Birthday” to Henry whose birthday is tomorrow, the 19th); Ruth Daniel 68b, 378t; Shelbie Sheppard 277, 288; Nellie Mae White 100, 119; Lewis Norton 76b, 418; Lou Cotney 172, 358; Jeff Sheppard 86, 410t (for Karen Reaves in memory of her husband, John Eric Reaves).

The Cleburne County Sacred Harp Singing Convention will meet again in 2003 at Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church, near Heflin, Alabama on the third Sunday in August.

Announcements were made. Eunice Webb and Harvey Austin led song on page 62 as the closing song. Elder Lewis Norton offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Eunice Webb; Vice Chairman—Harvey Austin; Secretary—Mary Lambert Smith.