Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 25

The 84th session of the Mississippi State Convention was called to order by Mark Davis leading 37b. The opening prayer was offered by Arlon Gardner.

President Davis welcomed everyone and extended thanks to Alfred Bailey and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting us. Leaders: Mark Davis 209; John Van Horn 168; Jean Gray 82t; Arlon Gardner 277; Darlene Reynolds and Bentley Claire Rose 484b (CB).

President Davis appointed John Vanhorn and Darlene Reynolds as the Arranging Committee.

Leaders: Bill Hogan 450 (CB), 464 (CB); Nancy Hogan 133 (CB), 392 (CB); Danny Creel 186 (CH), 54 (CH); Emily Burleson 43 (CH), 64 (CH); Robert Vaughn 390 (CH), 253 (CH); Ken Tate 166 (CH), 176 (CH); Richard Mauldin 35, 66; Wanda Capps 264 (CH), 505 (CB).

President Davis appointed Hugh McGuire, Henry McGuire, and Drew McGuire as the Business and Credentials Committee.

RECESS

John Van Horn called the class back together leading 222. Leaders: Natalie Davis 87, 129; Hugh McGuire 428, 422; Drew McGuire 101t, 542; Wilma Mitchell 480, 490; Bobby Caldwell 216t (CH); Bobby Caldwell and William Savell 157b (CH); Henry McGuire 518 (CB); Hugh Bill McGuire 328; Will McGuire 40.

President Davis appointed John Hollingsworth and Billy Hollingsworth as the Memorial Committee. Arlon Gardner offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Mark Davis brought the class back together by leading 411. Leaders: Linda Funderburk 373, 143; Mary Ellen Schrock 189 (CH), 281b (CH); Ann Jett 149 (CH), 170 (CH); Mark Davis 117 (CH) (for Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Bailey); John Hollingsworth, Hugh Bill McGuire, and Billy Hollingsworth 236; Regina Derstine 300, 42; Elizabeth Muhleisen 34b, 460; Bobby Neyman 479, 347; Billy Hollingsworth 421b (CH), 168b (CH); Amy Armstrong 299, 384; Susan Dickey 128, 178; Milano Neyman 254, 45t.

In a business session for the purpose of electing officers, a motion was made and seconded to keep the same officers as follows: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—John Van Horn; Chaplain—Arlon Gardner; Secretaries—Jean Gray and Darlene Reynolds.

RECESS

Mark Davis called the class back together leading 240. Leaders: John Van Horn 47b; Robert Vaughn 355 (CH); Ken Tate 51 (CH); Richard Mauldin 358; Danny Creel 404 (CB); Mary Ellen Schrock 50 (CH); Emily Burleson 82b (CH); Ann Jett 338b (CH); Wanda Capps 258 (CH).

Following announcements, a motion was made and seconded to dismiss the class. Mark Davis, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire led The Drone. Billy Hollingsworth dismissed with prayer.

Sunday, August 26

Mark Davis opened the Sunday session of the Mississippi State Convention by leading 100. The opening prayer was offered by Arlon Gardner. President Davis welcomed everyone back for the second day of singing and led 36b.

Leaders: John Van Horn 23b (CH), 19 (CH); Jean Gray 86t (CH), 158 (CH); Darlene Reynolds and Bentley Claire Rose 142 (CH), 188 (CH); Arlon Gardner 313b, 67; Billy Hollingsworth 121 (CH), 131 (CH); Hugh Bill McGuire 142, 273; Bill Hogan 133 (CH), 443 (CH); Nancy Hogan 189 (CH), 49t (CB).

RECESS

John Van Horn led 85 (CH) to bring the class to order. Leaders: Drew McGuire 572 (CB), 81t (CH); John Hollingsworth 548 (CH); Amy Armstrong 84, 182; Wilma Mitchell 204t (CH); Lisa Davis 334, 200, 203.

The memorial service was conducted by John Hollingsworth and Billy Hollingsworth. Billy Hollingsworth spoke about how we have been blessed with this community and the tradition of singing these old songs. As we think of them, our hearts are with them, and we pray for their healing and protection. When we sing praises to God, it is also nourishment to our own souls. Billy led 507t (CH) in honor of the following sick and shut-ins: Stella Pratt, Leona Haynes, Bud Oliver, Sammie Oliver, S.T. Reed, Lessie Reed, Josie Hyde, W.M. Allen, Daphene Causey, William Ellison, Ben Smith, and Ruth Wyers.

John Hollingsworth spoke about how we call their names for the first year they are gone, but we remember them for years to come. These people have all made great contributions to our singings. We need to pay homage to them. He then led 222b (CH) in memory of the following deceased: Junie McNeal, Eunice Dear, Marie Lollar, Harrison Creel, John Merritt, Marie Ivey, Dr. Julietta Haynes, Ernie Jett, Cecil Sanders, Bill Tanner, and Lonnie Rogers. The memorial lesson was closed with prayer offered by Arlon Gardner.

Kurt Davis led 155 and 192. Arlon Gardner offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Mark Davis leading 179. Leaders: Jane Armstrong 109 (CH), 117 (CH); Mary Ellen Schrock 82b (CH), 573 (CB); Hugh McGuire 537 (CH), 256t (CH); Henry McGuire 574 (CB0, 410 (CB); Mark Davis 112; John Van Horn 255 (CH); Drew McGuire 434; Darlene Reynolds and Bentley Claire Rose 569b; Arlon Gardner 155 (CH); Hugh Bill McGuire 393t (CB); Drew McGuire 63; Amy Armstrong 270; Wilma Mitchell 39t; Jane Armstrong 128; Mary Ellen Schrock 171; Hugh McGuire 268; Henry McGuire 269.

A business session was held. The Business and Credentials Committee (Hugh McGuire, Henry McGuire, and Drew McGuire) reported the collections and current bank balance, and recommended a dispersement of money as follows: $40.00 to WCPC Sacred Harp Hour Radio Program and $300.00 to Antioch Primitive Baptist Church. The following resolutions were offered by Hugh Bill McGuire: We thank God for the ability and willingness to come together and sing. Thanks to Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for extending their hospitality and the use of this wonderful building. Thanks to singers who came from near and far to sing praises to God. Thanks to all who helped provide a bountiful lunch both days. We resolve to gather again a year from now to sing praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A motion was made and seconded to accept all committee reports and dispense the committees.

Mark Davis, Henry McGuire, and Arlon Gardner were appointed as the Location Committee. Announcements were made. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The session was closed by singing The Drone. John Van Horn dismissed with prayer.

President—Mark Davis; Vice President—John Van Horn; Secretaries—Jean Gray and Darlene Reynolds