Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, October 11

Tim Reynolds called the 14th annual session of the Tennessee State Sacred Harp Convention to order on Saturday night leading 31b. Laris Ezell offered the evening prayer. Song selections are from the B.F. White Sacred Harp, 2006 Edition.

Leaders: Tim Reynolds 28b; Clayton Ezell 293t, 463; Gordon Wilkinson 505, 491; Kerene Box, Vella B. Gillespie, Thelma Elliot, Mina Belle Gillespie, and Reva Lee 155, 40; Delone Cobbs 47b, 49b; Margie Norwood 63, 119; Sandie Scott 571, 408; Caleb Dillehay 132, 54t.

RECESS

The singing resumed with Tim Reynolds leading 148. Leaders: Darrell Swarens 511t, 393t; Gary Smith 507b, 336t; Bridgett Hill 84, 410; Eddie Mash 450, 78; Judy Caudle 464; Emily Creel and Harrison Creel 355, 572; Seth Holloway 500; Sonya Sipe 96, 559; Garrett Sipe 274t, 107t; Jo Ann Grimes and Mike Grimes 367, 488t; Wanda Capps 546; Sarah Smith and Eddie Mash 547; Sarah Smith 453t; Marilyn Burchett 229; Mike Grimes 574, 573.

Tim Reynolds led 59 as the closing song. Mike Grimes offered the closing prayer.

Sunday, October 12

Tim Reynolds opened the Sunday session of the Tennessee State Sacred Harp Convention by leading 63 from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Mike Grimes offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Clayton Ezell 119; Kerene Box 405; Gordon Wilkinson 217; Anna Grace Sipe 274t, 354b; Margie Norwood 235, 100; Heidi Nolen and Michelle Roberts 178; Heidi Nolen 47b; Gary Smith 73b, 31t; Larry Ballinger 121, 139; Wanda Capps 53.

RECESS

Caleb Dillehay brought the class together leading 35 and 376.

A business meeting was held and the following officers were elected to serve: Chairman—Tim Reynolds; Vice Chairman—Gordon Wilkinson; Arranging Committee—Clayton Ezell; Memorial Committee—Eddie Mash and Darrell Swarens; Secretary—Sandie Scott.

Leaders: JoAnn Grimes and Mike Grimes 236, 45t; Harrison Creel 317, 512; Marilyn Burchett 176b, 294; S.T. Reed 43, 44; Sarah Smith 290, 288; Wayne Reed 108b, 30b; Sandie Scott 124, 340 (for Alisha Williams).

RECESS

Leaders: Eddie Mash 168, 380; Earl Ballinger 329, 208; Rick Hoffman 84, 49b: Sonya Sipe 36b, 128; Velton Chaffin 123b, 487. The blessing for the noon meal was offered by Gary Smith.

LUNCH

Tim Reynolds called the afternoon session together by leading 135. Leaders: Delone Cobbs 39b, 480; Gravis Ballinger 120, 200; Emily Creel 434, 454; Darrell Swarens 569b, 277; Judy Caudle 564, 567; Mike Grimes 361, 551; Seth Holloway 99, 388; Bridgett Hill 82t, 276.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Eddie Mash and Darrell Swarens. Eddie Mash led 285t in memory of the following deceased: Delores Beasley, Amanda Denson Brady, Milton Oliver, Alan Rosser, Edith Tate and Mattie Townsel—Alabama; Pauline Childers—Michigan; Felton Denney, Lee Rogers—Georgia; Marsha Williams—Tennessee.

Darrell Swarens led 457 for the following sick and shut-ins: Ruby Nell Beecham, Emily Boswell, Sherri Cathy (great-granddaughter of Maggie Augustin Richardson), Wayne Dell, John Etheridge, Frances Mattox, Charlotte McCarn, Kathleen Robbins, Cecil Sanders, and Kirby Sweatt. Tim Reynolds closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Clayton Ezell, Vella B. Gillespie, Thelma Elliot, Kerene Box, Reva Lee, and Mina Belle Gillespie 358; Earl Ballinger 299; Harrison Creel, Emily Creel, and Wanda Capps 342; Mike Grimes and JoAnn Grimes 282; S.T. Reed and Wayne Reed 42; Earl Ballinger, Larry Ballinger, and Gravis Ballinger 270; Bridgett Hill and Clayton Ezell 448b; Gary Smith, Sarah Smith, and Seth Holloway 61; Vella B. Gillespie, Bridgett Hill, and Judy Caudle 454 (by request); Judy Caudle 137 (by request).

Announcements were made. Tim Reynolds led 62 as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Gary Smith, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Tim Reynolds; Vice Chairman—Gordon Wilkinson; Secretary—Sandie Scott