Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 7

The ninety-third session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association was called to order by Coy Ivey leading songs on pages 59 and 63. Prayer was led by Lamar Smith. The officers were called as follows: Margie Smith 501; Nora Parker 36b; David Ivey 134; Mel Kersey 47 (t? b?); Judy Hauff 399b; Terry Wootten 385 (t? b?); Bud Oliver 39b; Virgil Phillips 475; Carla Smith 498; Don Bowen 454; Phil Summerlin 39 (t? b?). Other leaders: Mark Brown 82 (t? b?); Lamar Smith 76b; Joyce Walton 52b; Norma Latham 418; Loyd Ivey 426 (t? b?); Edith Tate 136.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by Coy Ivey leading song on page 30 (t? b?). A business session was held to elect the following officers: Chairman—Rex Wilks; Vice Chairman—David Ivey; Secretary—Nora Parker (permanent); Chaplain—Phil Summerlin; Arranging Committee—Bud Oliver, Paula McGray, and Mel Kersey; Memorial Committee—Ruth Brown, Connie Karduck, and Clarke Lee; Resolutions Committee—Jim Carnes, Terry Wootten, and Reba Dell Windom; Locating Committee—Jerry Enright, Jeff Sheppard, and Joyce Walton; Finance Committee—Don Bowen, Syble Adams, and Cindy Franklin. Leaders: Rex Wilks 53; Syble Adams 212; Jerry Enright 300; Melanie Hauff 277; Lonnie Rogers and Freeman Wootten 225t; Elene Stovall 137; Rodney Ivey 186; Kat Kinkade 428; Allison Ivey 182; Jerry Schreiber 200; Connie Karduck 391; Clarke Lee 285t; Barbara Swetman 481; Kelly Beard 179; Lucy Heidorn 185; Ted Johnson 83 (t? b?); Louis Hughes, Jr. 284.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Rex Wilks and David Ivey leading songs on pages 40 and 358. Leaders: Erika Mitchell 354b; Aaron Wootten 101t; Jeff Sheppard 142; Joan Aldridge 198; Mary Kay Friday 191; David Lee 335; Marcia Johnson 282; Jamie Dalton 538; Marie Aldridge 193; Johanna Fabke 71; Ricky Harcrow 163t; Kathy Lee 100; Cassie Franklin 75; Ted Mercer 74 (t? b?); Billy Williams 54.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Rex Wilks leading song on page 119. Leaders: B. M. Smith 548; Julie Lee 231; Pauline Childers 318; Stuart Ivey 270; Hillary Brown 45t; Dewayne Wootten 345t; Tyler Wilks 186; Sarah Harcrow 37b; Mary Brown 551; Ernestine Pipkin 218; Pam Wilkerson 203; Myra Dalton 332; Paula McGray 127; Shelley Capps 405; Hershell King 460; Mildred McElroy 61; Richard DeLong 296; Rhonda Arnold 448 (t? b?); Milton Oliver 403; Jim Carnes 171; Cindy Franklin and Wanda Capps 146; Linda Thomas 48 (t? b?); Mark Brown “Beulah Land”.

RECESS

The class reassembled with Syble Adams leading song on page 59. Leaders: Reba Windom 224; S. T. Reed 32b; Jap Walton 153; Marvin McElroy 112; Louis Hughes 300; David Carlton 133; Willie Mae Moon 383; Marlon Wootten 147 (t? b?); Karen Ivey 209; Shelbie Sheppard 556; Ruth Brown 535; Karen Travis and Jane Wilks 117; Leroy Digsby 387; Eddie Brown 312b; Christie Blevins 480; Mark Brown 503; Sheila Wootten 436. Rex Wilks led the closing song on page 67. The class was dismissed with prayer by Ralph Heard.

Sunday, September 8

The convention was called to order on Sunday by Rex Wilks and David Ivey leading songs on pages 74 (t? b?) and 49b. The morning prayer was led by Phil Summerlin. Leaders: Bud Oliver, Paula McGray, and Nora Parker 32b, 77b, 317; Coy Ivey 48 (t? b?); Rhonda Arnold 39 (t? b?); Jackie Tanner 37 (t? b?); Jason Wilks 68b; Don Bowen 283; Stuart Ivey 53; Mark Carroll 448 (t? b?); Syble Adams 186; Virgil Phillips 137; Mark Brown 430; Reba Dell Windom 384; Roy Nelson 97; Marcia Johnson 216; Richard Ivey 270; Lee Rogers 474; Cassie Franklin 29t.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Rex Wilks leading song on page 145b. Leaders: B. M. Smith 475; Johanna Fabke 122; Pauline Childers 269; Ted Johnson 372; Linton Ballinger 299; Melanie Hauff 318; Pam Nunn 528; Phillip Wootten 312b; Ann Jett 327; Mike Dunn 424; Judy Mincey 497; Henry Johnson 159; Jewel Wootten 277; Nancy Digsby 348b; B. J. Harris 303; Flarce Creel 546.

RECESS

Rex Wilks brought the class together leading song on page 111 (t? b?). Leaders: Rodney Dalton and Tim Dalton 106; Judy Hauff 201; Harrison Creel 512; Jeffery Wootten 176 (t? b?). A memorial lesson was held at this time. Ruth Brown made a talk about joyful noises made unto the Lord. The names of the deceased were read as follows: Vieve Dupre Davis, Colin Campbell, Hazel Cagle, Colbie Allen, Faye Allen, Tommy Creel, Dillie Harris, Elder H. C. Moon, Agnes Hocutt, Irvin Creel, Otto McCoy, Joe Beasley, Aver Crider, Dewey Williams, Tom Roberson, Homer Cordes, Aaron Keeton, Mae Doss, Fleecie Tucker, Lucille Brothers, Johnnie Sue Beasley, Kelsey Rene Wootten, Ed Latham, Ruby Gibson, Hubert Green, LeRoy McGraw, Ester Reed, Randolph Mincey, Ola Pruitt, Odell Cleveland, Ruthie Cozart, Floyd Stiefel, William Headrick, Otis Nall, Joe Smith, Guy Parker, Luther Miller, Effie Brock, Andy Herrell, J. B. Lauel, E. A. Stallings, and Eula Stallings. Richard DeLong led song on page 224 in their memory. The sick and shut-ins named were: Jeanette Lowry, Carl Karduck, Edith Cline, Jerry Sheppard, Mozelle Sheppard, Lois Stanson, Cecil Gilliland, Lawrence Underwood, Lula Underwood, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Oden, Barrett Ashley, Woodie Walker, Claude Moon, Herbert Phillips, Alpha Black, Nora Collett, Bill Green, J. T. Conn, Mae Seymour, and Maxine Lacy. Joyce Walton led song on page 45t for the sick and shut-ins. B. J. Harris closed the memorial with prayer. Leaders: Buell Cobb 205; Sarah Harcrow 61; Evelyn Harris 30 (t? b?); Levon Wootten 39b; Kelly Beard 504.

LUNCH

The afternoon session reassembled with Rex Wilks and David Ivey leading song on page 298. Leaders: Jerry Enright 77t; Carla Smith 222; Jerry Schreiber 66; Ted Mercer 345 (t? b?); Barbara Swetman 35; Mary Kay Friday 313b; Kat Kinkade 411; Juan Martinez 146; Ernestine Pipkin 276; Lonnie Rogers 340; Louis Hughes, Jr. 99; Marty Wootten 171; Phil Summerlin 441; Allison Stovall and Elene Stovall 440; Jamie Dalton, Myra Dalton, and Tammy Dalton 419; Louis Hughes 290; Willie Mae Holt 269; Wayne Wootten 234; Joan Aldridge 189.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Bud Oliver and Mel Kersey leading song on page 565. A business session was held to hear committee reports. Resolution Committee. On behalf of the entire United Convention, we respectfully thank Shady Grove Church and the surrounding community for their warmest welcome and hospitality. We thank all officers and committees for so ably discharging their duties. We thank all those who have traveled from far and near to support the Convention. We thank all of our ancestors who have preserved this great tradition for our enjoyment and our spiritual enrichment. And, above all, we thank our loving God for allowing this Convention not merely to continue over these 93 years, but to thrive. And, we ask for God’s continued blessing on us and on Sacred Harp. Respectfully submitted. Reba Dell Windom, Terry Wootten, and Jim Carnes. The Locating Committee reported that the 1997 session would meet at Old County Line Church, 10 miles west of Warrior, Alabama near Corner, Alabama. Locating Committee: Jerry Enright, Jeff Sheppard, and Joyce Walton. The Finance Committee reported that $503.00 was collected. Paid out for minutes, $50.00; paper goods, $55.32; food $175.00; church $100.00. Balance on hand $1,409.88. End of business session. Leaders: Milton Oliver 321; Cindy Franklin 34b; Melvin Stiefel 138b; Freeman Wootten and Olivia Allen 480; Allison Ivey, Tyler Wilks, and Jenny Wootten 134, 155; Mildred McElroy 192; Jim Carnes 95; Jeff Sheppard 163b; Terry Wootten 542; Willie Mae Moon 503; Edith Tate and Shelley Capps 73 (t? b?); Warren G. Meadows 569 (t? b?); Linda Thomas, Eloise Wootten, and Jordan Ratliff 107; Connie Karduck 313 (t? b?); Shelbie Sheppard 183; Pam Wilkerson 376. David Ivey and Rex Wilks led the closing song on page 62. The Convention was dismissed with prayer by Phil Summerlin.

Chairman—Rex Wilks; Vice Chairman—David Ivey; Secretary—Nora Parker.