Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 30

The twenty-ninth session of the Florida State Singing Convention held at the Holiday Inn, Panama City, Florida, the first Sunday and Saturday before in December, 1996 was called to order by Chairman Bill Aplin leading songs on pages 70 and 319. The morning prayer was led by Lonnie Rogers. Leaders: First Vice Chairman David Lee 335; Second Vice Chairman Elvin Guthrie 334; Victoria Aplin 293b; Aubrey Barfield 140; Secretary Jewell Vania 143. A warm welcome was given to all visitors. Leaders: Milton Oliver 54; Clayton Ezell 300; Mike Jones 159; Faye Pettis 434; John Bealle 268b; John Morris 163; Kathy Lee 505; Greg Economides 306; Loy Garrison 37. The announcement of committees was given as follows: Memorial Committee—Shelbie Sheppard, Emmie Morris, and Faye Pettis; Finance Committee—Tommie Spurlock and B. M. Smith.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by David Lee leading song on page 76b. Leaders: David Roberson 63; Johnny Lee 46; Kim Cagle 32t; Shelbie Sheppard 290; Mary Elizabeth Lee 393; Linton Ballinger 36b; Norma Latham 511b; John Merritt 38t; Nancy Van Den Akker 500; Gordon Wilkerson 220; B. M. Smith 559; Elizabeth Labato 482; Hershell King 67.

RECESS

Second Vice Chairman Elvin Guthrie called the class to order leading song on page 135. Leaders: S. T. Reed 133; A Youth Group from Rosemont Baptist Church 229; Eloise Clark 31t; Bob Bonnell 203; Leola Smith 528; Lonnie Rogers 395b; Stephen Labato 506; Jeff Sheppard 410; Dale Redmon, Jr. 507; Ted Mercer 552; Genny Whitworth and Nathan Green 100; Marie Guthrie 192; Richard DeLong 524; Julie Lee 270. The class was dismissed for lunch, and the blessing for the food was led by Aubrey Barfield.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Chairman Bill Aplin leading song on page 508. Leaders: Leon Ballinger 137; Eldagene Roberson 215; John Kanode 571; Mia Makris 358; Lane Albritton 145t; Emmie Morris 142; Bill Hogan 132; Thurman Nall 541; Alice Hochstetler 138; Clarke Lee 563; Eloise Avery 515; John Etheridge 553; Eva Padgett 218; Winston Jones 47b; Alice Mosley 343; Tommie Spurlock 574; Brenda Merritt 68t.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Chairman Bill Aplin leading song on page 466. Leaders: Ernest Cock-Croft 225t; Cecile Cox 282; J. A. Mosley 144; George Cox 108t; Stanley Smith 522; Agnes Ferris 404; Mae Holt 384; Bill Ferris 393; Clarke Lee and David Lee 488. Announcements were made. Chairman Bill Aplin led song on page 54b for the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer led by Tommie Spurlock.

Sunday, December 1

The Sunday morning session was called to order by Chairman Bill Aplin leading songs on pages 75 and 567. The morning prayer was led by Clarke Lee. Leaders: First Vice Chairman David Lee 355; Second Vice Chairman Elvin Guthrie 78; Victoria Aplin 411; Secretary Jewell Vania 341; Aubrey Barfield 200. Aubrey Barfield gave a warm welcome to all our singers and friends. Leaders: Milton Oliver 503; Clayton Ezell 137; J. C. Rutledge 501; Faye Pettis 235; John Morris 543b; Reba Windom 171; Greg Economides 280.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Chairman Bill Aplin leading song on page 372. Leaders: Kathy Lee 572; David Roberson 414; Margie Smith 508. The Memorial Lesson was given for our friends and loved ones that have passed away this past year. Shelbie Sheppard used the words from the song on page 61, “Sweet Rivers”, to give us encouragement and comfort. Our encouragement comes from the promise of sweet rivers just before our eyes, and comfort that those we lost through death have already crossed that river. Faye Pettis read the names of those who have passed away, and Emmie Morris led song on page 61 for the following: Monroe Grant, June Ross, Otis Nall, Dewey Wise, Lonnie Jones, Dillie Creel Harris, Tom Harper, Ervin Creel, Delta Wootten, Ed Latham, Hazel Cagle, J. T. Conn, Elder A. L. Beckett, Vena Holley, Merle Etheridge, Don Johnson, Tennie Reid Rogers, Velma Kelly, Annette Blalock, Burris Pettis, Ruthie Cozart, and Tommy Creel. Faye Pettis read the names of those who are sick and shut-in, and Emmie Morris led song on page 369 for the following: Myrl Jones, A. A. Smith, Lawson Smith, Unie B. Howard, Vernice Clavert, Essie Calvert, Bernard Moon, Elsie Moon, L. E. Hannah, Elmer Cordell, Marshall Avery, Eva Reid, Julie Clark, Ralph Heath, Lurleen Heath, Ruby Phillips, Virgil Phillips, J. C. Hardin, Jerry Sheppard, Mozelle Sheppard, Herbert Leopard, Woodie Walker, Ed Craig, Alcie Craig, Ernestine Pipkin, Horace Nall, Deborah Nichols, Buddie Tindall, and Ruth Tindall. Johnny Lee closed the memorial with prayer. Leaders: Johnny Lee 41; Dale Redmon, Jr. 563; Bill Green 225t; Lane Albritton 330t; Shelbie Sheppard 38b; Lonnie Rogers 377t; Norma Latham 518; Leon Ballinger 212.

LUNCH

The afternoon session opened with Chairman Bill Aplin leading song on page 224. Leaders: Ann Barnett 58; Harlie Guthrie 310; Nancy Van Den Akker 207b; Hershell King 80b; Mary Elizabeth Lee 361; Sarah Hicox, Hanna Lee, and Rachel Lee 336; Bob Bonnell 451b; Leola Smith 185; Linton Ballinger 186; George Cox 395b; Marie Guthrie 189; Bryant Lee and Daniel Hicox 162; J. A. Mosley 174; Julie Lee 292; Eldagene Roberson 142.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Chairman Bill Aplin leading song on page 146. Leaders: Clarke Lee 106; Alice Mosley 45t; Bill Farris 559; Thurman Nall 287; Agnes Farris 410; John Etheridge 214; Tommie Spurlock 183; Emmie Morris 383; Carolyn Webb 391 (for her mother, Mammie Riley). Officers for the 1997 Florida State Convention: Chairman—David Lee; First Vice Chairman—Elvin Guthrie; Second Vice Chairman—Leon Ballinger; Secretary—Jewell Vania. We want to thank everyone who came, and to each one who had a part in making the convention a success. Thank you for your support! Officers for the 1996 and 1997 Florida State Convention led song on page 82 for the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Johnny Lee.

Chairman—Bill Aplin; First Vice Chairman—David Lee; Second Vice Chairman—Elvin Guthrie; Secretary—Jewell Vania.