Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, October 11

The Saturday evening session used “The Sacred Harp, 1992 Cooper Revision.”

The ninth annual session of the Tennessee State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Tim Reynolds leading 85 and 135. Elder J.L. Hopper offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Clayton Ezell 54, 38t; Gordon Wilkinson 112, 134; Kerene Box 405; Earl Ballinger 559, 336; Judy Caudle 98, 484b; Bob Meek 511t, 367; Doris Littrell 40, 358; Harrison Creel 511b, 355.

RECESS

Tim Reynolds brought the class back to order leading 449. Leaders: Bud Oliver 505, 515; Sarah Smith 290; Kenneth Tate and Hannah Tate 501, 497; Emily Creel 89, 222; Mike Morris 63, 72; Joanne Grimes and Mike Grimes 500, 488b; Marlin Beasley 571, 444t; Glenda Hopper 310, 410; Danny Creel 39; Brenda Merritt 563; Elder J.L. Hopper 573, 122, 459; Sandie Scott 408, 532; John Merritt 392, 564; Wanda Capps, Flarce Creel, and Hannah Tate 411, 572; Velton Chafin 225t; Gary Smith 553b; Mike Grimes 393t, 229; Mike Grimes and Bob Meek 540; Marilyn Burchett 175, 107; Margie Norwood 451.

After announcements, Tim Reynolds led 132 as the closing song. Elder J.L. Hopper closed the Saturday session with prayer.

Sunday, October 12

The book used for the Sunday session was “The Sacred Harp, 1991 Revision.”

Tim Reynolds called the class to order at 9:30 a.m. by leading 49t and 84. Gary Smith offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Clayton Ezell 119; Gordon Wilkinson 512, 530; Kerene Box 159; Larry Ballinger 139, 138t; Clay Mattox 124; Marlin Beasley 87, 175; Flarce Creel 475; Mike Morris 59, 49b; Velton Chafin 68b, 78; Sandie Scott 472, 176t; Wilton Donaldson 348b, 499; Lomax Ballinger 312b, 313t; Sarah Smith 100; Margie Norwood 405.

RECESS

Tim Reynolds brought the class back to order leading 171.

The class went into a business session and voted to retain the following officers: Chairman—Tim Reynolds; Vice Chairman—Gordon Wilkinson; Secretary—Marilyn Burchett; Arranging Committee—Clayton Ezell.

Leaders: Ivalene Donaldson 544; Heidi Nolen 448t, 72b; Gravis Ballinger 112, 200; Emily Creel 217, 101t; Bud Oliver 145b, 145t.

RECESS

Gordon Wilkinson called the class back to order by leading 168. Leaders: Doris Littrell 268, 490; Bob Meek 270; Bob Meek and Mike Morris 454; Marilyn Burchett 108b; Marilyn Burchett and Sandie Scott 551; Harrison Creel 498, 111b.

LUNCH

Tim Reynolds brought the class back to order leading 66. Leaders: Linton Ballinger 212, 213t; Lucy Heidorn 73t, 155; Earl Ballinger 203, 211; Gary Smith 523, 31t.

A memorial was conducted for the deceased and for the sick and shut-ins. David Carlton led 163b for the following deceased: Roberta Grimes, Thelma Watson, Jack Chadwell, and Alice Gant—Tennessee; Lavaughn Ballinger, Ruth Brown, A.A. Malone, Lamar Smith, Elder Donald Smith, Clara Smith, Elvin Morris, and Edis Guthrie—Alabama; Myrtle Meek and Madeline Faulkner—Kentucky.

Brenda Merritt led 426t for the following sick and shut-ins: Frances Mattox—Tennessee; Edith Tate, John Hocutt, Elsie Beasley, Kim Watkins, Charlie Ballard, Ruth Aaron, Lena Woodley, and Uel Freeman—Alabama; Dennis Beasley—Florida; Pauline Childers—Michigan; William J. Reynolds—Texas. John Merritt closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Wanda Capps 299; Paige Hunter 535; Seth Holloway 274t, 388; Judy Caudle 77b, 94; David Carlton 95, 496; Alicia Williams 340, 341; Laurens Blankers 339, 40; Danny Creel 137, 269; Brenda Merritt and John Merritt 358, 189; Clayton Ezell, Vella Bea Ezell Gillespie, Arlene Ezell Richardson, Kerene Ezell Box, Thelma Ezell Elliott, and Mina Belle Ezell Gillespie 294; Clayton Ezell and Linda Moore 182; Harrison Creel, Flarce Creel, Danny Creel, Wanda Capps, and Lucy Heidorn 342.

After announcements, Tim Reynolds led 46 as the closing song. Harrison Creel closed the singing with prayer.

Chairman—Timothy J. Reynolds; Vice Chairman—Gordon Wilkinson; Secretary—Marilyn Burchett.