Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, May 29

The 110th annual session of the Southwest Texas Sacred Harp Convention was called to order by Sonny Huckaby leading 511t. The opening prayer was offered by Jeb Owen.

Elder Huckaby welcomed all the visitors and locals to the convention. He mentioned that the secretaries, John and Cassandra Baker, were unable to attend this year and appointed Bruce and Beverly Coates to serve as secretary and arranging committee pro-tem.

Leaders: Tom Owen 48t; Bruce Coates 39; Jeb Owen and Liz Owen 210; Crystal Meadows 168; Richard Ivey 98; Riley Owen and Curtis Owen 278t (Curtis mentioned that it was a pleasure to lead with his 6-year-old great-grandson); Louis Hughes 225t; Marilyn Murata 229; Chris Nicholson 558b; Eddie Mash 78; Jackson Owen and Silas Huckaby 401; Daphene Causey 434; Ron Ryan 561; Lindsey Wiggins 182; Rodney Ivey 464; Jeff Adcock 397; David Charpie 63; Shane Wootten 86; Syble Adams, Tom Owen, and Jeb Owen 47b; Henry Johnson 435.

RECESS

Sonny Huckaby brought the class together by leading 400. Leaders: Sarah Huckaby 196; Matt Hinton 38t; Scott Ivey 313; Sharon DuPriest 414; Cheryl Foreman 66; Cassie Allen 497; Doron Henkin 486; Claudene Townson 68t; Bridgett Hill 380t; Pete Matthewson 68b; Karen Rollins 461; Tollie Lee 84; Owen Ross 518; Judy Caudle 567; Charles Whitmer 410; Laura Densmore 482; Coy Ivey 559.

A business meeting was held and Sonny Huckaby read a letter from secretaries John and Cassandra Baker stating that they did not wish to be re-elected this year. After serving the convention for many years in this capacity, they asked that they be excused to just “sit back and sing.” The Chairman asked for nominations. Gaylon Powell nominated Bruce and Beverly Coates, who were elected by acclamation. Gary Rogan was elected to serve as Vice Chairman and current Vice Chairman, Tom Owen, will move to Chairman. Tom appointed Jeb Owen, Gary Rogan, and Mike Hinton to serve on the Memorial Committee.

Leaders: Rich Lee 370; David McPherson 183; Elene Stovall 140; Ryan Young 30b; Bill Bailey 406; Josh McClain 563; Chloe Webb 270; Katie Mahoney 144; Mike Hinton 146. Prayer was offered by Curtis Owen before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Tom Owen reconvened the singers. Leaders: Kyle Hearn 192; Baron Powers 81; Tim McClain 31t; Ryan Ross 402; Linda Thomas 573; Janie Short 280; Lori Rodgers 276; Jo Pendleton 96; Sonny Erwin 198; Kris Wiggins 235; Lorraine Miles McFarland 112; Josh Rogan 200; Donald Ross 264b; Linda Booth 287; Morris Nelms 300; Rick Foreman 273; Evelyn Lamb 155; Mel Bowers 77t; Diane Ross 53; Terre Schill 218; Kevin Powell 268t; Robert Vaughn 331b.

RECESS

Gary Rogan called the singers together leading 384. Leaders; Jacob McClain 73t; Priscilla Wiggins 376; Leon Ballinger 120; Gaylon Powell 272; Zach Rogan 299; Tammy Powell 189; Linda Booker 505; Scott Curran 217; Greg Bowles 29b; Vivian Rogan 148; Michele Rogan 522; Billy Huckaby 543b; Scott McCown 122; Beverly Coates 416t; Alex Hawk 99; Susie Mathewson 575; Micah Rodgers 57.

Announcements were made. Tom Owen led 95b as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Eddie Mash.

Sunday, May 30

Tom Owen brought the Sunday session of the Southwest Texas Sacred Harp Convention to order by leading 49t. The morning prayer was offered by Elder Sonny Huckaby.

Leaders: Tom Owen 442t; Gary Rogan 54t; Bruce Coates and Beverly Coates 331t; Amanda Bowles 464; Sonny Erwin 511t; Marilyn Murata 478; Eddie Mash 494; Daphene Causey 505; Silas Huckaby 146; Matt Hinton 142; Scott Ivey 133; Diane Ross 470; Shane Wootten 515; Riley Owen and Jackson Owen 572; Sharon DuPriest 229; Cheyenne Ivey 128; Donald Ross 36t; Claudene Townson 500; Richard Ivey 118; Linda Booth 220; Josh McClain 571; Syble Adams 138t.

RECESS

Tom Owen reconvened the singers leading 60. Leaders: Baron Powers 239; Henry Johnson 154t; Jonathan Pendleton 145b; Bridgett Hill 186; Tollie Lee 319; Jacob McClain 45t; Cassie Allen 355; Louis Hughes 528b; Doron Henkin 216; Judy Caudle 129; Angela Myers 87; Karen Rollins 222; Rodney Ivey 398b; Laura Densmore 30t; Elene Stovall 414; David McPherson 451; Tim McClain 82.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Jeb Owen, recalling that this is Memorial Day weekend and asked the veterans in the congregation to stand as he led 484b. Eleven veterans were recognized.

Gary Rogan led 64 for the following sick and homebound: Michelle Raine, Tom Robinson, Leland Owen, Carolyn Thompson, Jerry Enright, Lonnie Rogers, Dr. and Mrs. Rodney Willard, Fumie Murata, Sue Sigimoto, Karen Hess, and Johnnie Lee.

Mike Hinton remembered those who had passed away in the past year and recalled their contributions. He asked Syble Adams to lead 367 in memory of the following: Myra Palmer, Ophelia Matthews, Dick Steil, Ada Fisher, Linda Henthorn, Margie Russell, Ovilla Sommers, Martha Lou Riley, Odus (Dutch) Owen, Jr., and John Steinle—Texas; Jimmie Denny—Georgia; Nancy Katzen—Pennsylvania; June Nishimura and Leonora Zacharis—California. The memorial ended with prayer offered by Tollie Lee.

Leaders: Ryan Young 34t; Coy Ivey 465; Linda Thomas 39.

LUNCH

Gary Rogan reconvened the singing leading 42. Leaders: Amanda Deardorff 270; David Charpie 293; Ryan Ross 137; Robert Vaughn 153; Evelyn Lamb 477; Priscilla Wiggins 444t; Josh Rogan 411; Olivia Powell 132; Chloe Webb 81; Crystal Meadows 29t; Kris Wiggins 343b; Tammy Powell 553; Morris Nelms 53; Katie Mahoney 535t; Mike Hinton 544; Bill Bailey 388; Lindsey Wiggins 215; Ron Ryan 294; Gaylon Powell 539; Leon Ballinger 507b; Kevin Powell 543; Janie Short 569; Linda Booker 55; Jo Pendleton and Jonathan Pendleton 393t; Catherine Rogan 434; Billy Huckaby 68t; Mike Moseley 331b; Vivian Rogan 282; Scott Curran 35; Curtis Owen 283; Greg Bowles 49b; Michele Rogan 183; Terre Schill 230; Sarah Huckaby 203; Zach Rogan 335; Liz Owen and Jeb Owen 383; Sonny Huckaby 395b.

The Chairman thanked all who had attended from near and far. He and the other officers led the closing song, “Blissful Hope” from the “Good Old Songs”. The closing prayer was offered by Scott Curran.

Chairman—Tom Owen; Vice Chairman—Gary Rogan; Secretaries—Bruce Coates and Beverly Coates