Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at State Line Church, off Hwy 78 at the Georgia/Alabama state line in Cleburne County, Alabama, was held on Saturday before the second Sunday in April. The class was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Jeff Sheppard leading 46. The opening prayer was offered by Henry Johnson.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Rodney Ivey; Vice Chairman—B.M. Smith; Secretary—Judy Caudle; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless.

Leaders: B.M. Smith 59; Rodney Ivey 61; Judy Caudle 85; Judy Chambless 527; Loyd Ivey 89; Donna Bell 383; Henry Johnson 326; Rene Greene 137; Karen Rollins 145t (for Bud Oliver); Laura Densmore 456; Bill Bailey 108t; Scott Kennedy 565; Reba Windom 300 (in memory of Jerry Enright); Tom Owen 505; Sharon DuPriest 212; Darrell Swarens 81t; Virginia Dyer 454; Scott Ivey and Loyd Ivey 204.

RECESS

Rodney Ivey led 32t to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Richard Ivey 202 (for Shelbie Sheppard); Pam Nunn 216; Leigh Cooper 167; Robert Chambless 163b (in memory of Tracy Irvin); Fallon Cook 192; Nate Green 121; Erica Hinton 228; Nathan Rees 234; Annaliza Cull 155; Tony Hammock 430; Jerry Creason 344; Eli Hinton 268; Bridgett Kennedy 302; Jack Nelson 47b; Ann Webb 318; David Brodeur 269.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by B.M. Smith leading 475. Leaders: Hayden Arp 434; Lauren Bock 88t; John Kelso 303; Mark Godfrey 542; Phillip Denney, Skyler Denney, Wyatt Denney, and Karis Askin 87; Susan Cherones 186; Oscar McGuire 485; Cecil Roberts 547.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Karen Rollins and Bridgett Kennedy. Karen spoke about the traditions of the memorial lesson and read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Chris Holley, Bud Oliver, Sammie Oliver, George Garner, Lucy Garner, Teenie Moody, Carlene Griffin, Barrett Patton, Allen DuBose, Lois Bowman, Mona Nelson, Josephine Denney, S.T. Reed, Lessie Reed, Tat Bailey, and Eugene Forbes. She led 68b.

Bridgett Kennedy spoke of God’s promises and read the following list of names of the deceased: Harrison Creel, Gerald Ivey, Betty Ivey, Pernie Pelfry—Alabama; Violet Thomason and Gertrude DeLong—Georgia; Kelly Day—Indiana. She led 499 in their memory. Matt Hinton offered prayer to close the memorial lesson.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with B.M. Smith leading 138t. Leaders: Angela Myers 436; Matt Hinton 432; Charlene Wallace 349; Molly Ellis 270; Cheyenne Ivey 111b; Will Dover 108b; Evelyn Harris 47t; Darrell Swarens 200; Tom Owen 532; Bill Bailey 378t; Laura Densmore 36t; Oscar McGuire 441; Bridgett Kennedy 440; Nathan Rees 374; Jeff Sheppard, Pam Nunn, and Rene Greene 298; Loyd Ivey, Rodney Ivey, Scott Ivey, Richard Ivey, and Cheyenne Ivey 426t (for Bud Oliver); Reba Windom, Sharon DuPriest, and David Brodeur 182; Phillip Denney and Karen Rollins 120; Lauren Bock, John Kelso, and Hayden Arp 500; Judy Caudle, Henry Johnson, and Angela Myers 501; Matt Hinton, Erica Hinton, Mark Godfrey, and Leigh Cooper 460; Jerry Creason, Jack Nelson, Cecil Roberts, and Tony Hammock 31t; Susan Cherones, Charlene Wallace, and Molly Ellis 381; Anna Hinton 282; Fallon Cook and Rodney Ivey 294 (by request).

Following announcements, Rodney Ivey and B.M. Smith led 389 (in memory of Lonnie Rogers) as the closing song. Tom Owen offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Rodney Ivey; Vice Chairman—B.M. Smith; Secretary—Judy Caudle