Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 25

The thirty-fourth session of the Georgia State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in March. The convention was called to order by Doug Allison leading song on page 47 (t? b?). Prayer was led by Jack Smith. Doug Allison then led song on page 145 (t? b?) followed by Richard Whatley leading song on page 56 (t? b?); Charlene Wallace 441; Elder Jesse Roberts 411. Members of various committees were called: Richard DeLong 57; David McGukin 287; Kelly Morris 49b; Helen Bryson 299; Laurie Allison 85; Judy Mincey 475; B. M. Smith 276; Kenneth DeLong 301; Don Bowen 270; Susan Green 350; Bill Scott 318; Mel Kersey 99; Frances Carnell 196.

RECESS

The class was called together by Doug Allison leading song on page 213 (t? b?). Leaders were: Kenneth Mize 45 (t? b?); Geneva Prichard 532; Frances Mary D’Andrea 143; Mary Brownlee 151; Karen Snowbird 147 (t? b?); Larry Woodring 216; Jack Smith 40; Hermon Wilkinson 73 (t? b?); Dan Bailey 569b; Leif Carter 159 in memory of Nancy Murrill. A motion was made and duly seconded to go into the business session. Officers elected or appointed were: Chairman—Doug Allison; Vice Chairman—Richard Whatley; Secretary and Treasurer—Charlene Wallace; Chaplain—Jack Smith; Arranging Committee—Richard DeLong and Chris Carnell; Memorial Committee—Helen Bryson, Jeannette DePoy, and Janice Paulk; Finance Committee—Laurie Allison, Dan Bailey, and Don Bowen; Resolutions Committee—Liz Bryant, Frances Mary D’Andrea, and Kelly Morris; Locating Committee—David McGukin, Judy Mincey, and Kenneth DeLong. A change in the by-laws—Article 3, Section 2 and Article 8, Section 3 was brought before the convention to be voted on during the business session on Sunday. End of business session. Leaders were: Debra Langley 192; Penny Thurman 480; John Plunkett 300; Phillip Langley 203; Gordon Wilkerson 434; Janice Paulk 518.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Doug Allison leading song on page 53. Leaders were: Phil Summerlin 68b; Lou Cotney 189; Ruby Phillips 345 (t? b?); Amanda Denson 232; John delRe 83 (t? b?); Ann Heider 547; Margie Dietz 354b; Everette Denney 405; Lissa Blood 378 (t? b?); Betty Herman 501.

LUNCH

The afternoon session resumed with Richard Whatley leading song on page 101 (t? b?). Leaders were: Richard DeLong 497; Jeff Sheppard 234; G. C. Waldrep 260; Bryan Black 362; Chris Carnell 155; Horace DeLong 384; Leyland delRe 165; Reba Dell Windom 269; Eric Carnell 168; Ted Mercer 419; Pam Nunn 220; Mike Castleberry and Kevin Smith 490; Carla Boyd 428; Jessica Roberts 456; Alice Hochstetler 109; Sharona Nelson 36b; Steve Warner 84.

RECESS

Doug Allison and Peggy Sims called the class together leading song on page 35. Leaders were: Joan Durdin 114; Shelbie Sheppard 183; Rick Russell 28b; Heather Carnell 178; Ashley Roberts 368; Carlene Griffin 516; Mark Bumgardner 324; Seth Houston 454; Becky Martin 217; Kelly Macklin 341; Lynn Rosser Allen 65; Liz Bryant 344; Kathy White 146; “Happy Birthday” was sung for Jack Smith. After announcements, Doug Allison and Richard Whatley led page 347 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Chaplain Jack Smith.

Sunday, March 12

The convention was called to order by Doug Allison leading song on page 40. Elder Jesse Roberts led the morning prayer. Richard Whatley led song on page 435, followed by Charlene Wallace 439; Laurie Allison 421; B. M. Smith 503; Jeannette DePoy 268; Mel Kersey 120; Kelly Morris 383; Don Bowen 283; Geneva Prichard 110; Kathy White 178; Virgil Phillips 475; Karen Snowbird 474; Lynn Rosser 65; Kelly Macklin 179; Martha Ann Stegar 63.

RECESS

The class was called together by Doug Allison leading song on page 29 (t? b?). Leaders called were: G. C. Waldrep 282; Pam Nunn 218; Ruby Phillips 290; Margie Smith 494; Rueben Ball 380 for Faye Pettis; John Hollingsworth 182; Joyce Harrison 236; Lee Rogers 188; Laura Webb 148.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Richard Whatley leading song on page 182. Leaders were: Gene Duke 384; Jeff Sheppard 49b; Lisa Blood 517; John delRe 348b; Penny Thurman 127; Lisa Webb 542; Betty Thurman 86. Memorial lesson: For Georgia deceased: Viola Hicks, Dura Blackmon, Carlton Hitchcock, Harry Dumas, Mrs. W. S. Kelly, Junurs Hudgins, Lewis Doyal, Zera Mize, Julia Walls, Mrs. J. J. Aderhold, and Nancy Murrill, David McGukin led 47b and 45 (t? b?). For Alabama deceased: Henry Kerr, Lindsey Crider, Grady Albright, Walter Phillips, Lessie Cates, Ted Godsey, Benny Rigdon, Helen Ivey Cordell, Winford Lacey, Mary Morris, and Lois Green, Buell Cobb led page 235. For all the other states: Ralph Brown, John Snyder, Paul Echols, Lois Tysinger, Porter Kellam, Don Feeler, Anne Tarsa, T. H. Ross, George Liein and Sarah Morrill, Ted Mercer led page 406. For all the sick and shut-ins, Amanda Denson led 404. Elder Jesse Roberts closed the memorial with prayer.

LUNCH

Richard Whatley called the convention together leading song on page 270. Leaders: Jimmy Denney 101 (t? b?); Joan Aldridge 192; Wesley Haley 198; Ted Mercer 345b; David Lee 565; Elene Stovall 528; Hannah Roberts 155; Ann Heider 464; Janette Sheppard 114; Raymond Hamrick 81 (t? b?); Elder Jesse Roberts 211; Shelbie Sheppard 440; Seth Houston 455; Reba Dell Windom 216; Jessica Roberts 352; Helen Bryson 392; Laura Akerman 543; Sheri Taylor 550; Kathy Lee 31 (t? b?); Janice Paulk 250; Laura Boyd 113; Steve Warner 547; Ron Craig 117.

RECESS

Doug Allison called the class together leading song on page 332. Leaders were: Donna Duke 100; Ashley Roberts 434; Carlene Griffin 77b; Kate Hauk 569b; Billy Hollingsworth 354 (t? b?); D. T. Phillips 137; Tracy Gilbert 72b; Oscar McGuire 573; Leyland delRe 448 (t? b?); Becky Hart 142; Rick Russell 280; Alice Hockstetler 317; Andy Morris 183; Judy Mincey 180; Jack Smith 145 (t? b?); Dan Bailey 66; David McGukin 106. A motion was made to go into the business session. The amendments to the by-laws voted and accepted were: Article 3, Section 2: The location of the next Convention shall be determined by the Location Committee at each Convention. The community that desires the Convention must submit a signed petition to the Location Committee within 60 days after the last session. Article 8, Section 3: The Secretary shall submit written record of the minutes of the Convention to the Secretary of the Directory and Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings. The secretaries of all other singings and conventions held in the State of Georgia shall likewise submit written record of the minutes of their singings directly to the secretary of the Directory and Minutes of the Sacred Harp Singings. All secretaries shall also send the Secretary of the Directory and Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings the applicable contribution to pay for the printing of the Directory and Minutes. The Financial Report was given. The Resolutions Report: Thanks to God for the glorious spring and warm gathering of friends. Thanks to the DeKalb Historical Society for allowing us to wake the echoes of Sacred Harp singing in this great old room. Thanks to the organizers, leaders, committees, cooks, and helpers who have made this convention a success. Thanks to the singers who have traveled from near and far to raise this roof. And thanks to the singers who have gone before us. We resolve: To keep the Georgia State Convention growing; To support the singings in Southern country churches that keep this music alive; To encourage the spread of Sacred Harp singing through every land by every tongue. Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song. Locating Committee reported that the 1996 Georgia State Convention would be held at the same location here in Decatur, Georgia. Business session closed. Announcements were made. Doug Allison and Richard Whatley led page 62, “Parting Hand”, as the closing song. The convention was dismissed with prayer by Elder Jesse Roberts.

Chairman—Doug Allison; Vice Chairman—Richard Whatley; Secretary—Charlene Wallace.