Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual singing of The Original B.F. White Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Hardeman Primitive Baptist Church in Decatur Georgia on the third Sunday in September. Chairman John Plunkett brought the class to order leading 59. The opening prayer was offered by Henry Johnson.

Leaders: John Plunkett 38t (in memory of Allen Fannin of New York, who recently died in an automobile accident); Sandra Wilkinson 316, 496t; Malinda Snow 138b, 492; Martha Ann Stegar 519, 517; Sharon Hamrick 306, 276; Tony Hammock 177, 76t; Lee Rogers 132, 389t; Bob Goodman 60, 478t; Nate Green and Norma Green 475, 373.

RECESS

Chairman John Plunkett called the class to order leading 88b then appointed the following committees: Arranging Committee—Sandra Wilkinson; Memorial Committee—Lee Rogers.

Leaders: Anita Landess 474, 480b; Tom Hanson 512, 299; Phillip Langley 330t, 215; John Hollingsworth 544t, 543t; Rita Haley 63, 239; Douglas Faith 526, 26 (in back of book); Donna Bell 75, 87; Russell Hanson 186, 61; Judy Mincey 55t, 54t. John Hollingsworth offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Chairman John Plunkett brought the class to order leading 525 and 301. Leaders: Wesley Haley 45t; Carol Hanson 155, 47b; Henry Johnson 499t, 487b; Mary Brownlee 521; Oscar McGuire 522; Richard DeLong 95t, 286b; Leslie Hanson 494, 388; Elise Eskew 540, 274t; Raymond Hamrick 490b; Lela Crowder 491b, 222.

Lee Rogers conducted the memorial and led 122, stating that this song always seemed to comfort and encourage her in times of trouble and need.

Tom Hanson led 447t and 513 for the deceased: Floyd Faith, J.J. Sills, Ruth Hitchcock, Estelle Flowers, Carolyn Snow, Barbara DePoy, Mary Sorrells, Charles Crawford, and Paul Greeson—Georgia; Allen Fannin—New York.

Mary Brownlee led 496b for the sick and shut-ins which include: Violet Thomason, Quentin Watts, Bill Green, Beufa Green, Bobby Jackson, and Eldora Moody. The memorial was concluded with prayer led by Elder Jesse Roberts.

RECESS

The singing resumed with Chairman John Plunkett leading 303t. Leaders: Andy Anderson and Jo Twilley 547t, 287; Debora Grosse 485b, 545t; Jesse Roberts 157, 44; David Grant 491t; Helen Bryson 217 (in memory of William Henry Nash), 418; Andy Morse 138t, 527; Micah Roberts 354; Alice West 380t, 317b, 358; Rebecca Higgins 408, 40. Carol Hanson, Russ Hanson, Sandra Wilkinson, and Jesse Roberts sang 488b as a quartette in memory of Larry Wilkinson and Sadie Wilkinson, parents of Carol Hanson and Sandra Wilkinson.

Following announcements, John Plunkett led 62 as the closing song. Elder Jesse Roberts offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—John Plunkett; Vice Chairman—Rodney Ivey; Secretary/Treasurer—Sandra Wilkinson.