Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at Jordan’s Chapel Methodist Church was held on the fourth Sunday in October. Lonnie Rogers called the class to order leading 176t. Rev. Julian Murphy offered the opening prayer. Stanley Edwards lead 56t, 61; Charlene Wallace 79, 81t.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Lonnie Rogers; Vice Chairman—Stanley Edwards; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Committee—Donna Bell and Evelyn Harris.

Leaders: B.M. Smith 101t, 76t; Robert Chambless 72b, 68b; Henry Johnson 125, 416; Shirley Hardy 452, 274t; Bud Oliver 145b, 73t; Rita Haley 268, 122; Hugh McGraw 404; Floy Wilder 214, 217; Eugene Forbes 203, 80b; Judy Chambliss 82t, 159.

RECESS

Stanley Edwards called the class back to order leading 340. Leaders: Milton Oliver 155, 314; Lela Crowder 138b, 300; Earlis McGraw 435, 544; Glenda Collins 124, 282; Wesley Haley 34b, 198; Jenny Acton and Jacob Acton 108b, 112.

Frank Bell Reaves spoke of his grandfather, Frank Bell, who helped organize this singing and how much this church and singing meant to him and his family. Frank Bell Reaves and Pam Williams (a Bell descendent) led 339 and 274t in memory of their family.

Leaders: Bridgett Hill 129, 440; B.J. Harris 303, 503; Audress Gurley 36b, 145t; John Plunkett 308, 133.

Stanley Edwards introduced Rev. Julian Murphy, retired former pastor, who welcomed and thanked everyone for their support for this singing in the past thirty-two years. Rev. Murphy then introduced the current pastor, Rev. Brian Moore, who also welcomed everyone and spoke of how wonderful it was to witness people of all denominations coming together to sing praises to the Lord. Stanley Edwards then introduced Penny Pool from “The Randolph Leader” who was writing an article for the newspaper about Sacred Harp Singing.

Leaders: Geraldine Rice 196, 222; Ed Thacker 534, 88b.

LUNCH

The afternoon session resumed with Stanley Edwards and Lonnie Rogers leading 318. Leaders: Jeff Sheppard 142 (for Shelbie Sheppard), 340; Nell Estes 560 (for her father, H.R. Avery), 551.

Sherry Lovvorn and Henry Johnson conducted the memorial lesson. Sherry Lovvorn read the names of the sick and shut-ins: Myrtle Smith, Nancy Allen, Shelbie Sheppard, George Garner, Lucy Garner, Bernelle Amason, M.B. Forbes, Bob Meek, Wilton Donaldson, I.V. McWhorter, Alice Edwards, and Hester Edwards. Ed Thacker led 143 in their honor.

Sherry Lovvorn read the names of the deceased. Those remembered were Elder Marshall Avery, Scottie Nobbley, and Bill Braswell. Henry Johnson led 338 in memory of the deceased. Rev. Brian Moore closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Oscar McGuire 344, 371; Jean Payne 99, 496; Brandon Acton 53, 40; Bobby Jackson 436, 499; Charlotte Bishop 335, 358; Herby Bailey, 569b; Cecil Roberts 135; Ruth Daniel 127, 378t; Tabatha Hancock and Evelyn Harris 126, 47t; Donna Bell 75, 97.

Announcements were made. Lonnie Rogers, Frank Bell Reaves, and Stanley Edwards led 45t and 343 as the closing songs. Henry Johnson offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Lonnie Rogers; Vice Chairman—Stanley Edwards; Secretary—Donna Bell.