Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, December 13

The 14th annual Joe Beasley Memorial Singing was called to order by John Beasley leading 33b. Marlin Beasley offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Richard Schmeidler 34b; Brittany Henson 178; John Merritt and Brittany Henson 138t (CB) (in memory of John Etheridge and in honor of Thurman Nall), 38t (CB); Betty Baccus 396, 134; Velton Chafin 86 (CB), 464 (CB); Mary Godsey 100, 45t; Hugh Bill McGuire 45b, 298; Becky Briggs 393 (CB); Kevin Dyess 159, 52t; Beth Branscome 540, 505 (CB).

RECESS

Henry Schuman brought the class back to order leading 32t. Leaders: Marilyn Burchett 64 (LD); Jim Helke 206 (LD), 194 (LD); Marlin Beasley 201 (LD), 333 (LD); Hugh Bill McGuire 298 (LD); Becky Briggs 330 (LD); John Merritt 61 (LD); Cora Sweatt 117 (NHC), 115 (NHC); John Merritt 68 (NHC); Cora Sweatt and John Merritt 99 (NHC); Sandie Scott 346 (CH), 347 (CH); Juanita Beasley 61, 31b; David Carlton 376, 175b (CB).

LUNCH

Marlin Beasley called the class to order leading 460. Leaders: Marlin Beasley 336; Danny Creel 204 (CH), 168 (CH); Margaret Keeton 131 (CH), 64 (CH); Harrison Creel 111t (CH), 172 (CH); Sarah Smith 117 (CH), 284 (CH); Travis Keeton 203, 300; Charlotte Ehrman 157, 273; Gary Smith 30b (CH), 142 (CH); Brenda Pena 112, 186; Chug Beasley and Ruth Nix 335, 354b; Seth Holloway 571 (CB), 572 (CB); Cora Sweatt 143, 312b; Richard Schmeidler 474, 268; Marilyn Burchett 229 (CB); Marilyn Burchett, John Merritt, and Brittany Henson 392 (CB); Jim Helke184 (CH), 372b (CH); Emily Creel 316 (CH), 338b (CH); Henry Guthery and John Merritt 133 (CH), 336t (CH), 81t (CH); Freddie Briggs 388.

Announcements were made. Richard Schmeidler led 46 as the closing song. Marlin Beasley dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, December 14

The Sunday session of the Joe Beasley Memorial Singing was called to order by Richard Schmeidler leading 52t. John Merritt offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Richard Schmeidler 155; Sandie Scott 168; Brittany Henson 503; Elizabeth Keeton 504; Chuck Howell 112; Juanita Beasley 39b; Gravis Ballinger 120; Brenda Pena 99; Hugh Bill McGuire 472; Gail Doss 186; Danica Thornton 401; Jim Helke 75; Becky Briggs 73t; Lena Keeton 122; Tim Reynolds 223; Henry Schuman 532 (in memory of Edith Tate and Pauline Childers).

RECESS

Marlin Beasley brought the class to order leading 298. Leaders: Judy Caudle 500 (in memory of John Etheridge); Earl Ballinger 530; Margaret Keeton 517; Gary Smith 565; Anne Chalker 146; John Merritt and Richard Mauldin 358 (in memory of Dick Mauldin); Richard Mauldin 43; Bridgett Hill 110; Cora Sweatt 111b; Richard Schmeidler 543; Charlotte Ehrman 452.

Richard Mauldin and Judy Caudle conducted the memorial lesson. Richard spoke on behalf of the sick and homebound and their families. Judy Caudle led 389 in honor of the following: Ann Ballard, Emily Boswell, Claire Cardy, Faye Donaldson, Eugene Forbes, Julietta Haynes, Don Keeton, Peggy Howton, Edward Howton, Johnny Humber, Charlotte McCarn, Clarence McCool, Thurman Nall, Lou Nall, Don Ross, and Diane Ross.

Richard Mauldin spoke and Judy Caudle led 403 in memory of the following deceased: Delores Beasley, Amanda Denson Brady, Mrs. Cobb, Gertrude Hannah, Frank Hataway, Kim Jenkins, Jimmie Keeton, Lora Keeton, Pat Keeton Kanaday, Elder Garnsey McGough, Mamie Harper Noles, Milton Oliver, E.M. Robbins, Johnnie Frank Williams—Alabama; John Etheridge—Florida; Lee Rogers—Georgia; Pauline Childers—Michigan; Joe Cobb and Madeleine Steel—Mississippi; Bill Anderson—Tennessee; Monnie Ross—Texas; Kat Kinkade—Virginia. The memorial lesson was concluded with a prayer offered by Tim Reynolds.

Leaders: Henry Schuman 318 (in memory of Pauline Childers); Marilyn Burchett 313b; Travis Keeton 421; Marlin Beasley 77t (in memory of Amanda Denson Brady).

LUNCH

Jim Helke called the afternoon session to order leading 36b. Leaders: John Merritt “Higher Ground”, 511 (OSH); Lisa Geist 273; Warren Steel 211 (for Dr. Julietta Haynes); Chug Beasley 457; Glenn Keeton 475; Sarah Smith 97 (for Corene White and Reedy Powell); Seth Holloway and Freddie Briggs 388; Joan Aldridge 439; Larry Ballinger 306; Bunk Beasley 354b; Lisa Geist 304 (by request); Sarah Smith 340; Sandie Scott 152; Tim Reynolds 441; Hugh Bill McGuire 40; Anne Chalker and Richard Mauldin 378t (in memory of Dick Mauldin); Elizabeth Keeton, Glenn Keeton, and Lena Keeton 178; Charlotte Ehrman 486; Josie Hyde 507; Warren Steel 495; Benda Pena 147b; Jim Helke 48b; Gail Doss 361; Marilyn Burchett 373; Becky Briggs, Bunk Beasley, Chug Beasley, Cora Sweatt, Marlin Beasley, and Sarah Smith 72b.

Announcements were made. Richard Schmeidler led 62 as the closing song. Marlin Beasley dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—John Beasley; Vice Chairman—Richard Schmeidler; Secretary—Sandie Scott