Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 20th annual session of the Antioch-Shiloh Memorial Singing was held at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church on Shiloh Church Road, south of Tallapoosa, Georgia, on Friday night before the second Sunday in April. Johnny Wright called the class to order by leading 63. He welcomed everyone, and gave a brief history of the singing, stating the singing began as a birthday celebration for a matriarch of the community, the late Mrs. Mildred Johnson and Elder Homer Benefield, a patriarch. Upon their passing away, the singing was renamed. Rev. Tommy McGuire, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, offered the opening prayer.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Johnny Wright; Vice Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Secretary—Donna Bell. Johnny Wright recognized the out-of-state singers and thanked them for attending.

Leaders: Johnny Wright 335; Cecil Roberts 501, 35; Will Dover 47b; B.M. Smith 34b, 101t; Ben Bath 217, 72b; Donnie Simmet 56b, 324; Karen Rollins 354t, 354b; Donna Bell 426b; Fallon Cook 146, 97; Sarah Roberts 339, 323b; Margie Smith 73b.

Joyce Lambert, daughter of the late Elder Homer Benefield, told the class that the beautiful vase of fresh cut roses and other flowers from her garden were in remembrance of her father, Mrs. Mildred Johnson, and all other deceased Sacred Harp singers. The blessing before refreshments was offered by Cecil Roberts.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Johnny Wright leading 300 and 294. Leaders: Molly Wexler-Romig 59, 312b; Myron House 236, 191; Diane Clayton 143; Hayden Arp 340, 317; Jan House 56t (in memory of Elder Homer Benefield), 137 (in memory of Lonnie Rogers); Charlene Wallace 171, 313t; Roy Fuller 85, 128; Blake Sisemore 208, 550.

Announcements were made. Johnny Wright led 358 (in memory of Katherine Benefield) as the closing song. Blake Sisemore offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Johnny Wright; Vice Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Secretary—Donna Bell