Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 97th session of the Sacred Harp singing and homecoming at Crossroads Baptist Church, north of Tallapoosa, Georgia, was held on the first Sunday in July. Louis Hughes welcomed everyone before leading 32t. Elder Bobby Clark, pastor of the church, offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Louis Hughes 138b (in memory of his father, J.C. Hughes); Miranel Swafford 348b (in memory of her father, Gilbert Pope); Donna Bell 112 (in honor of Lonnie Rogers); Louis Hughes, Jr. 49b; Cecil Roberts 33b, 37b; Stanley Edwards and Marilyn Bradley 58, 444; B.M. Smith 350, 101t; Debra Grosse and Annelise Ford 171, 479; Charlene Wallace 186, 377; John Plunkett 275t, 346; Karen Rollins 327, 225t (in honor of her father, Lonnie Rogers); Jeb Owen 318; Joyce Walton 275b, 274b; Hayden Arp 340, 282.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Louis Hughes leading 31t. Leaders: Don Clark 174; Steve Kick 448b, 560; Riley Owen 274t.

The class went into a business session. Louis Hughes recognized Dorsey Newman, Hester Edwards, and Mattie Lou Pope, all over 90 years old. A motion was made that the starting time of this singing be changed to 10:00 a.m. The motion carried and notation made to make the change in the minutes book. Louis Hughes read his letter of resignation as Chairman of this singing and the following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Miranel Swafford; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Committee—Louis Hughes, Jr.; Memorial Committee—Karen Rollins and Louis Hughes. The business session was closed.

Leaders: Cecil Roberts 277; Aldo Ceresa 52b, 217; Jan Ketelle 440, 168; Eschol Hughes 283, 383.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Karen Rollins and Louis Hughes. Karen asked those in attendance to remember those singers that have gone on before us, the soldiers that made sacrifices for our freedom, and the thinkers and writers who founded our country. She noted that all days are fleeting, not just for the deceased. Karen Rollins read the names of the following deceased: D.L. McCray, Jimmie Denney, Jerry Enright, Maudie Frederick, Japeth Jackson, Ceford Wood, and Melvis Williams. Oscar McGuire led 47b in their memory.

Louis Hughes spoke for the following sick and home bound: Lois Bowman, Lonnie Rogers, Faye Wood, Inez Woodall, Mary Florence Smith, and Shelbie Sheppard. B.M. Smith led 45t in their honor. John Plunkett closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Jenny Willard 278b (for Thomas Willard), 36b; Allison Thompson and Anna Thompson 335; Liz Owen 273, 542. Ed Garner blessed the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Louis Hughes, Jr. leading 169. Leaders: Oscar McGuire 137, 485; Michael Thompson 292, 309; Evelyn Harris 47t, 155; Karen Clark 492, 499 (in memory of Jerry Enright); Richard DeLong 214, 541 (in memory of Charlene Wallace’s three brothers); Keith Willard 144; Tony Hammock 303, 544; Jeff Sheppard 540 (for Raymond Hamrick), 211 (for Shelbie Sheppard); Curtis Hamrick 77t, 436; George Garner 78; James Newman 61; Steve Kick 322; Aldo Ceresa 522; Jan Ketelle 110; Jeb Owen, Liz Owen, and Riley Owen 53; Keith Willard and Jenny Willard 145b; Cecil Roberts and James Hughes 457.

Announcements were made. Cecil Roberts and Miranel Swafford led 490 as the closing song. Keith Willard offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Miranel Swafford; Secretary—Donna Bell