Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at State Line Church, just off Hwy. 78 at the Georgia/Alabama state line in Cleburne County, Alabama, was held on Saturday before the second Sunday in April. The class was called to order by Rodney Ivey and Jeff Sheppard leading 32t. The opening prayer was offered by Elder Sonny Huckaby.

Leaders: Jeff Sheppard and Rodney Ivey 72t; Judy Caudle 325; Louis Hughes 408; Eddie Mash 98; Karen Rollins 347; Martha Beverly 131t; Oscar McGuire 485; Loyd Ivey 337; B.M. Smith 284; Reba Windom 411 (in memory of her dad); Lonnie Rogers 298.

Jeff Sheppard presented members of the Clarence Cates family a certificate of appreciation for the repairs and improvements made on State Line Church. He led 63.

Leaders: Karen Swenson 299; Nate Green and Norma Green 393; April Dell 144; Tom George 26; Marty Wootten 475; Jenna Strizak 270; Bentley McGuire 505; Sarah Smith 340.

RECESS

Rodney Ivey and Jeff Sheppard brought the class together leading 168. A business session was held and the following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Rodney Ivey; Vice Chairman—B.M. Smith; Secretary—Judy Caudle; Arranging Committee—Judy Chambless and Margie Smith.

Leaders: Ed Thacker 431; Virginia Dyer 532; Jim Picton 384; Peter Golden 61; Beverly Coates 107; Sonny Huckaby 186; JoDell Albi 211; Keith Willard 112; Tom Owen 500; Clarke Lee 84; Bruce Coates 503; Molly Ellis and Jenna Strizak 56b; Jeb Owen 542; Chris Holley and Kathe Pilibosian 448t; Pleasance Crawford 187; Robert Chambless 225t; Riley Lee 47b; Jenny Willard 480; Becky Browne 362 (for Paul Figura); Jared Wootten 441; Fay Hollis 276; Helen Bryson 163t; Dennis George 349; Gary Smith 66; Erica Hinton 74b; Julie Lee 82t; Matt Hinton and Morehouse students 365; Jerry Creason 47t; Robert Kelly 263; Shelbie Sheppard 195. Elder Philip Gilmore offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Jeff Sheppard and Rodney Ivey leading 138t. Leaders: Tony Hammock 148; Mary Elizabeth Lee 178; Linda Thomas and Jeff Sheppard 556; Philip Gilmore and Rebekah Gilmore 498.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Helen Bryson. She read the poem “Going Home” and led 313b for the sick and shut-ins and the deceased.

The sick and shut-ins honored were Frank Bloch, Violet Thomason, Paul Figura, and Earlis McGraw. The deceased remembered were Mattie Townsel and Frank Hataway—Alabama; Nora Roberts, Lee Rogers, John Broom, Katherine Benefield, Richard Johnson, and Myrtle Smith—Georgia; Jane Bruner and John Etheridge—Florida; Dr. Bill Reynolds—Tennessee; Pauline Childers—Michigan. The memorial was closed with prayer offered by Lonnie Rogers.

Leaders: Hubert Nall 440; Sandra Wilkinson 268; Henry Johnson 109; Elene Stovall 534; Jim Aaron 163b; Andy Morse 328; Lou Cotney 300; Pam Nunn 220; Rene Greene 436; Charlene Wallace 192; Cecil Roberts 97; Donna Bell 512 (for Harrison Creel); John Plunkett 292; Shannon Primm 447; Seth Holloway 388; Paula Picton 528; Shane O’Neal 57; Karen Clark 466; Ann Simpson 445; Jeb Owen, Tom Owen, Bruce Coates, and Beverly Coates 338; Keith Willard and Jenny Willard 145b; Pleasance Crawford and Chuck Crawford 176b; Peter Golden, Chris Holley, and Kathe Pilibosian 371; Cheyenne Ivey and Paige Gilbert 76b; Shelbie Sheppard, Pam Nunn, and Rene Greene 269.

Announcements were made. Rodney Ivey, B.M. Smith, and Clarke Lee led 56t as the closing song. Clarke Lee offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Rodney Ivey; Vice Chairman—B.M. Smith; Secretary—Judy Caudle