Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual session of the Mount Pisgah Singing Society (organized in 1903) was called to order at 9:00 a. m. by President Karen Clark leading 575. Gaylon Powell offered the morning prayer.

After welcoming everyone, Karen Clark and Don Clark dedicated the day of singing to the memory of former 1st Vice President John Etheridge, who passed away on December 5, 2008. They led 398. Since we met last year, four other supporters of the Mount Pisgah Singing have died (Lee Rogers, Frank Hataway, Walter Slay, and Eleanor Clark), and the day of singing was also dedicated to them.

The following officers were appointed to serve: President—Karen Clark; 1st Vice President—Rodney Ivey; 2nd Vice President—Shane Wooten; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Committee—Don Clark.

Leaders: Rodney Ivey 464; Shane Wooten 380t; Donna Bell 572; Stanley Edwards and Marilyn Bradley 58; Ken Sundberg 550; Robert Chambless 96; Loretta Jones 138t; Ernestine Pipkin 276; Pierce Phillips 573; Nancy Hogan 84; Leon Etheridge 47t; Judy Chambless 181; Karen Rollins 293b; Andy Morse 572 (in memory of John Etheridge); Sue Bunch 544.

RECESS

Shane Wooten called the class back to order leading 393b. Leaders: Tommy Spurlock 319; Ken Kelley 112; Phillip Langley 140; Verona Andrews and Wally Ridgeway 274t; Bud Oliver 563; Frank Strickland 515; Emily Creel 133; Eva Padgett 101b; Morgan Bunch 68t; Bill Aplin and Victoria Aplin 101t; Tim Cook 443; Matt Hinton 381t; Shannon Primm 522; Cindy Tanner 559; Nell Estes 192.

RECESS

Order was restored by Rodney Ivey leading 497. Leaders: Tim Jones 120; Sonny Erwin 145b; Ted Mercer 357; Marion Patrick 358 (in memory of Eleanor Clark); Mike Hinton 434; Mary Whitehurst 414; Robert Kelley 98; Melanie Hauff 436b; Lindsey Wiggins 567; S.T. Reed 545; Nathan Rees 402; David Ivey and Karen Ivey 416t; Tammy Powell 183; Jonathon Smith 215; Kathy Folsom 508; Scott Ivey 500; Cheryl Foreman 53. Prayer for the noon meal was offered by Ed Thacker.

LUNCH

Karen Clark called the afternoon session to order leading 76b. Leaders: Wilburn Ellison 465; Floy Wilder 297; Lonnie Rogers 397; Henry Johnson 70b; Judy Caudle 86; Judy Hauff 163b; Mike Hawkins 29t; Lela Crowder 505; Cassie Allen 450; Bill Hogan 543b; Laura Densmore and Karen Clark 386; Richard DeLong 524; Carol Buche 574; Bufrey Dean 408; Syble Adams 367. Don Clark introduced Jimmy Ray and thanked him for all his help and hard work to make the Mount Pisgah Singing a success. Don Clark and Jimmy Ray led 282.

RECESS

The final session of singing resumed with Shane Wooten and Syble Adams leading 73t. Leaders: Jonathan Blakeley 38t; Guy Bankes 494; Crissy Fullerton 478; Philip Gilmore and Rebekah Gilmore 80b; Helen Bryson 176t; John Kelley 405; Ed Thacker 110; Loyd Ivey 535; Judy Mincey 411; George Burnette, III 417; Jeff Sheppard 286b; Gaylon Powell, Tammy Powell, and Lindsey Wiggins 268t (in memory of Dick Steil); Phillip Reeves 49b; Everett Blackwood 30b; Jane Spencer 380b; Geraldine Rice 216.

Many sentiments about John Etheridge were shared throughout the day. Announcements were made. The officers of the singing, Karen Clark, Rodney Ivey, Shane Wooten, Donna Bell, and Don Clark, led 146, as those who wished took the parting hand. David Lee offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

President—Karen Clark; 1st Vice President—Rodney Ivey; 2nd Vice President—Shane Wooten; Secretary—Donna Garner Bell