Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, January 24

The W.L. “Bill” Green Memorial and Baldwin County Sacred Harp Convention was opened by Bill Hogan, who gave a welcome to all in attendance and led 121 and 36b. Aubrey Barfield offered the opening prayer.

The following officers were appointed to serve: Chairman—Bill Hogan; Vice Chairmen—J.A. Mosley and Rodney Ivey; Secretary—Nancy Hogan.

Leaders: J.A. Mosley 75; Rodney Ivey 95b; Alice Mosley 45t; Nate Green and Norma Green 40; Nancy Hogan 145b; Aubrey Barfield 522; Henry Johnson 113; Daphene Causey 222; Janet King 82; Jeff Sheppard 507b; B.M. Smith 39; Adrian Nall 393; Bridgett Hill 486; Mary Whitehurst 383.

RECESS

J.A. and Alice Mosley brought the class back together leading 282. Leaders: Judy Caudle 563 (for Bud Oliver); Joan Aldridge 572; Earnestine Pipkin 146; Billy Kelley 558; Cassie Allen 443; Loretta Jones 497; Eva Padgett 242; Coy Ivey 137; J.C. Rutledge 229; Victoria and Bill Aplin 549.

RECESS

Bill Hogan called the class back to order leading 575. Leaders: Wayne and Barbara Jones 464; Paulette Chavers 447t; Martha Beverly 140; Christine Gandy 127; Uel Freeman 65; Wilburn Ellison 465; Charlotte Naylor 128; Gary Smith 63; Bill Beverly 573; Georgeanna Presnell 59; Robert Walker 546; Cleo Murphy and the Southwest Mobile County Vocal Singers (Willie Ford, Willie Steele, Mary Murphy, Rose Mary Pettway, Mary Lucy, Annie Mae Smith, Lula Mae Ford, Artemelia Rocker, Hester Gray) sang “Will Anyone Miss Me When I Am Gone” and “I Want My Lord to Welcome Me”. The class sang 369, and Bill Hogan offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Rodney Ivey and Cassie Allen brought the class to order leading 98. Leaders: Paul King 133; Voncile Nall 283t; Becky Briggs 442t; Lera Ellison 395b; Stanley Smith 463; Tommie Spurlock 86; Shelbie Sheppard 216; Sarah Smith 96 (in memory of John Etheridge); A.E. Probst 239; Buna Mae Purvis 408; Marion Patrick 516; Margaret Spurlock 108b; Ben Patrick 450; Ann Jett 515; Elsie Moon 156; Henry McGuire 365; Ethan Hardy 70t; Richard Graham 571; John Kelley 567.

RECESS

Mr. Murphy’s choir sang “Shouting on the Hill”. Bill Hogan called the class back together leading 539. Leaders: Morgan Bunch 359; Jewell Rowland 384; Mike Jones 47b; Henry Schuman 400; Reba Windom 505; John Merritt, Ryan Merritt, and Bridgett Merritt 392.

After announcements were made, the class sang 72 and shared the hand of fellowship. The day of singing was closed with prayer offered by Bill Hogan.

Sunday, January 25

Bill Hogan opened the Sunday morning session leading 76b. He read John 14:15-21 and led 567. The opening prayer was offered by Wayne Jones.

Leaders: J.A. Mosley 559; Rodney Ivey 577; Alice Mosley 484; Nate Green and Norma Green 30t, 436t; Genny Whitworth and Sandy 220; Nancy Hogan 171; Wayne Jones 553; Paul King 32t; Robert Walker 99; Earnestine Pipkin 276, 331b; Joan Aldridge 84; Bill Beverly 478; Barbara Jones 461; B.M. Smith 410; Brian Kelley 112; Tommie Spurlock 182; Coy Ivey 465.

RECESS

J.A. Mosley brought the class back together leading 572. Leaders: Billy Kelley 544; Henry Johnson 455t; Judy Caudle 380t; Martha Beverly 336t; J.C. Rutledge 199; Loretta Jones 138t; Aubrey Barfield 163t; Daphene Causey 500; Janet King 148; Mary Whitehurst 414; Gary Smith 54t; Henry Schuman 38t; Ann Jett 29b.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by Rodney Ivey leading 356. Leaders: Morgan Bunch 552; Stanley Smith “Spurlock” (written in honor of Tommie and Margaret).

The memorial lesson was conducted by Bill Hogan. He read the names of the sick and shut-ins as follows and led 179 in their honor: Russ Scholz, Emma Mosley, Thurman and Lou Nall, Bud Oliver, Ann Ballard, and Harrison Creel.

Stanley Smith read the list of names of the deceased as follows and led 515 in their memory: John Etheridge—Florida; Frank Hataway, Mrs. Hershel King (Lolette), Mattie Townsel, Mary O. Smith, Milton Oliver, Amanda Denson Brady—Alabama; Myrtle Smith, Loy Garrison, Lee Rogers—Georgia; Pauline Childers—Michigan; Elder Gerald Hand—New Mexico; Betty Jerkins—No State Listed. Wayne Jones led 464 in memory of John Etheridge. To close the memorial lesson, John Merritt offered prayer.

Leaders: Jeff Sheppard 176t; Sarah Smith and Becky Briggs 518; Reba Windom and Tommie Spurlock 574; Elsie Moon 404. The class sang 369 and Aubrey Barfield offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Bill Hogan brought the afternoon session to order leading 142. Leaders: Shelbie Sheppard 195; Cassie Allen 355 (for Harrison Creel); John Merritt and Dana Foster 358; Georgeanna Presnell 511b; Ethan Hardy 193; Lloyd Jones 45t; Dana Foster 408; Sharon DuPriest 229; Martha Beverly and Bill Beverly 77t, 511t.

After announcements were made Nate Green, Norma Green, Genny Whitworth, Rodney Ivey, Bill Hogan, and Nancy Hogan led 527 as the closing song. Tommie Spurlock offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Bill Hogan; Vice Chairmen—J.A. Mosley and Rodney Ivey; Secretary—Nancy Hogan