Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 22

The 109th session of the Alabama State Sacred Harp Musical Convention met at Jefferson State Community College on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in November. Jeff Sheppard called the class to order at 9:00 a.m. leading 59. The morning prayer was offered by Chaplain Ed Thacker.

Leaders: Jeff Sheppard 75; David Ivey 30b; Ed Thacker 442; Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall 217; Cassie Allen, Bud Oliver, and Rodney Ivey 170; Judy Caudle and Henry Johnson 204; Emily Creel and Matt Hinton 99; Anne Chalker 146; Paul Figura 339; Robert Chambless 70t; S.T. Reed 407; Ernestine Pipkin 276; Karen Rollins and Randa Harris 178; B.M. Smith 73t; Phil Summerlin 73b; Jewel Wootten and Terry Hullett 63; Jack Nelson 480; Sarah Smith 340; Scott Kennedy 347; Adrian Nall 358; Carolyn Thompson 504.

RECESS

The class was brought together by Stanley Smith leading 318. Leaders: Rachel Shavers and Ariella Perry 142; Robert Handel 489; Joyce Walton 436; Travis Keeton 475; Richard Mauldin 378t (in memory of Dick Mauldin); April Watkins 354b; Tommie Spurlock 454; Karen Clark 534; John Plunkett 449; Nate Green and Norma Green 549; Sarah Jenkins 302; Louis Hughes 314; Beth Branscome 299; Aubrey Barfield 283; Eugene Forbes 168; Judy Chambless 527.

RECESS

David Ivey brought the class to order leading 460. Leaders: Marlin Beasley 61; Jeannette DePoy 567; Julietta Haynes 309; Voncile Nall 47b; Bob Simmons 143; Jerry Enright 399t; Bea Carnathan 472; Byron Ford and Ben Dicks 491; Drew Smith 361; Arlon Gardner and Peth Gardner 277; Jennifer Lee 411; Shirley Figura 235; Eddie Mash 397; Judy Mincey and Peggy Pursell 538; Karen Swenson 560; Kermit Adams 89; Hubert Nall 350; Jeff Sheppard 316, 120.

A business session was held and the following officers were elected or appointed: Chairman—David Ivey; Vice Chairman—Hubert Nall; Chaplain—Ed Thacker; Secretaries—Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall; Arranging Committee—Cassie Allen and Bud Oliver; Resolutions Committee—Carolyn Thompson and Michael Thompson; Location Committee—Linda Thomas and Danny Creel; Finance Committee—Marlin Beasley, Robert Chambless, and Rodney Ivey; Memorial Committee—Henry Johnson and Joyce Walton. After committees were appointed, the business session was closed.

LUNCH

David Ivey brought the class to order leading 131b. Leaders: Ron Harper 214; Lela Crowder 101b; Richard Ivey 328; Karen Freund 272; Danny Creel 456; Reba Windom 383; Jenna Strizak 434; Michael Thompson 384; Laura Clawson 186; Billy Williams 76b; Loyd Ivey 208; Bridgett Hill 228 (for Joan Aldridge); Cindy Tanner 269 (for Earnie Jett); Erica Hinton and Christina Gittings 540; Jerry Creason 163b; Gary Smith 66; Harrison Creel 111b; Robert DuPree 569b; Jayne Fulmer 300; Wanda Capps 440; Nathan Rees 371; Sharon DuPriest 216; Shelbie Sheppard 283; Rodney Ivey and Elene Stovall 492 (for Ballinger Family); Linda Thomas and David Ivey 464; Karen Ivey, Allison Whitener, and Richard Ivey 182; Ben Dicks and Karen Williams 159; SuNell Ellis and Emily Creel 532.

Announcements were made. David Ivey led 56t as the closing song. Ed Thacker dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, November 23

The Sunday morning session of the Alabama Sacred Harp Musical Convention began at 9:00 a.m. with David Ivey leading 85. Ed Thacker offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Hubert Nall 36b; Ed Thacker 402; Elene Stovall 306; Linda Thomas 81b; Cassie Allen 74t; Bud Oliver 42; Carolyn Thompson 180; Michael Thompson 465; Danny Creel 432; Marlin Beasley 448t; Robert Chambless 84; Rodney Ivey 365; Henry Johnson 341; Joyce Walton 269; J.C. Rutledge 494; Ann Webb 282; Buddy Ballinger 343; Henry Guthery 527; Karen Freund 271t; Harrison Creel 498; Gary Smith 276; Shirley Figura 176t; Ken Tate 148.

RECESS

The class was brought together by Earl Ballinger leading 299. Leaders: Ariella Perry 203; Jewel Wootten and Terry Hullett 168; Richard DeLong 109; Loyd Ivey 47t; Scott Kennedy 287; Judy Mincey 474; Matt Hinton 209; Jonathan Smith 142; Arlon Gardner and Peth Gardner 163t; Larry Ballinger 206 (in memory of Kim Jenkins); Tom George 64; Eddie Mash 534; Drew Smith 74b; Evelyn Harris 155; April Watkins and Taylor Watkins 146; Karen Swenson 195; Nathan Rees 444.

RECESS

Hubert Nall brought the class to order leading 39t. Leaders: David Carlton 300; Mary Jo Shafer 225t; Adrian Nall 268; Nate Green and Norma Green 373; Lauren Hall 376; Ann Simpson 445; Richard Mauldin 312b.

Henry Johnson and Joyce Walton conducted the memorial lesson. Henry Johnson read the names of the deceased as follows: Reby Stanford, Lee Rogers, Loy Garrison, Elizabeth Tolbert, Asbury Walton, Felton Denney—Georgia; Delores Beasley, Elder W.G. McGough, Corene Laminack, Roxy Keeton, Amanda Denson, Mamie Harper Noles, Milton Oliver, Jimmy Cates, Roscoe Knight, Mattie Townsel, Frank Hataway, Kim Jenkins, Dale Harris, Sam Jones, Lovella Kerr, Furn Kitchens, Betty Shaver, Edith Tate—Alabama; Jeanette Lowry—Missouri; Pauline Childers—Michigan; Sue Cate, Ruth Hunt—Arkansas. Joyce Walton spoke on behalf of the deceased and led 348b.

Henry Johnson spoke on behalf of the following sick and shut-ins and led 68b in their honor: Rebecca Clark, Corene White, Jimmie Lou Gilmore, Pearl Galbreath, Charlotte McCarn, Virginia Futral, Mary Florence Smith, Margaret Keeton, Clarence McCool, Willie Mae Moon, Joan Aldridge, Violet Thomason, Frank Block, John Hollingsworth, Jimmie Denney, Gary Gronau, Bill Ellason, and John Etheridge. Ed Thacker closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: John Plunkett 138t; Ben Dicks 284; Lela Crowder 370; Paul Figura 158 (in memory of Jeanette Lowry); Bea Carnathan 568; Dr. Julietta Haynes 222; Louis Hughes 181; Jeannette DePoy 229.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought together by David Ivey leading 345b. Leaders: Richard Ivey 392; Leon Ballinger 297; Emily Creel 196; Dennis George 442; Lisa Geist 564 (in memory of Kim Jenkins); Jerry Enright 77t; Daphene Causey 223; Seth Allred 49b; Jenna Strizak 270; Coy Ivey and Karen Ivey 384, 486t (WB); Travis Keeton 400; Reba Windom 546; Bridgett Hill 377 (for Joan Aldridge); Kermit Adams 327; Ila Ingle 436; Laura Clawson 362; Cheyenne Ivey and April Watkins 76b; Jerry Creason 147t; Cindy Tanner 368; Judy Chambless 565; Jennifer Lee 385t; Sarah Smith 318; Anne Chalker 388; Voncile Nall 48t; SuNell Ellis and Emily Creel 59; Sharon DuPriest 189; Judy Caudle and Karen Ivey 192; Billy Williams 97.

A business session was held for the purpose of hearing reports. The Resolutions Committee (Carolyn Thompson and Michael Thompson) thanked everyone who helped to make the convention a success. The Finance Report was given by Linda Thomas and all expenses were met. The Secretary’s Report was given by Elene Stovall, stating that for the two days a total of 200 leaders from 11 states and Washington, D.C. led 179 songs. A motion was made and seconded to accept the reports as given and adjourn the business meeting. Announcements were made.

David Ivey and Hubert Nall led 62 as the closing song. Ed Thacker offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—David Ivey; Vice Chairman—Hubert Nall; Secretaries—Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall