Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at Old Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, near Abernathy, Cleburne County, Alabama, was held on the third Sunday in April. The class was called to order by Stanley Edwards leading 59. The morning prayer was offered by Elder Neal Prichard, pastor of the church.

Leaders: Stanley Edwards 61; Cecil Roberts 378t (for Nick and Carlene Griffin), 97; Donna Bell 145b (for her daddy, George Garner), 35 (for Lonnie Rogers); Karen Rollins 34b (in memory of her aunt, Barbara Denney), 32t; Robert Chambless 77t, 303; Margie Smith 101t, 225t; Oscar McGuire 479, 475; Neal Prichard 566, 204; Lou Cotney 300, 172.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Stanley Edwards leading 340. A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Stanley Edwards; Vice Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Committee—Judy Chambless.

Leaders: Charlene Wallace 106 (for Carlene Griffin), 146; Ruth Daniel 335, 45t; B.M. Smith 64, 72b; Evelyn Harris 87, 47t; Nellie Mae White 127, 75; Ruth Daniel, Evelyn Harris, Nellie Mae White, and Aline Harris 100; Judy Chambless 82t, 565; Stanley Edwards 317, 500; Neal Prichard 139, 341; Robert Chambless 55, 523; Karen Rollins 294, 350; Margie Smith 464; Ann Simpson 354b, 445.

Stanley Edwards conducted the memorial lesson leading 330t in remembrance of the following deceased singers and friends: Howard McGuire, Grady Hayes, Jerry Enright, Barbara Denney, Marvin McElroy, and Mary Florence Smith. He led 340 in honor of the following sick and shut-ins: Lonnie Rogers, Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, Pam Nunn, Rene Greene, George Garner, Lucy Garner, Teenie Moody, Nick Griffin, and Carlene Griffin. Elder Neal Prichard closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Calvin Warren offered the blessing for the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing began with Cecil Roberts leading 477, 30b, and 229. Leaders: Donna Bell 155 (in memory of Marvin McElroy), 284 (for Hester Edwards); Charlene Wallace and Tina Lett 159, 49t; Oscar McGuire 129, 54; B.M. Smith 503, 441; Ruth Daniel 46, 47b; Lou Cotney and Fay Cotney 358; Ann Simpson 388, 452; Judy Chambless 415, 142, and 143.

Following announcements, Stanley Edwards and Cecil Roberts led 62 as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Elder Neal Prichard, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Stanley Edwards; Vice Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Secretary—Donna Bell