Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Decoration Day Sacred Harp singing held at Gum Pond Primitive Baptist Church on the fourth Sunday in May was called to order by J.L. Hopper leading 301 and 311. The morning prayer was offered by Milford Cobbs. J.L. Hopper welcomed the class, and led 374.

In a business session, the following officers were elected to serve: Chairman—J.L. Hopper; Vice Chairman—Milford Cobbs; Secretary—Judy Caudle.

Leaders: Milford Cobbs 381, 46; Judy Caudle 312b, 85; Nicholas Thompson 59; Ed Thacker 567, 181; David Light 112, 200; Sandie Scott 288, 472; Delone Cobbs 480, 490; B.M. Smith 318, 270; Vivian Rogan 348b, 282; Jared Wootten 73t; Scott Kennedy 565, 454; Nancy Thompson 384, 460 (in memory of Steve Cobbs).

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Judy Caudle leading 56t. Leaders: Glenn Keeton 163b, 475; Catherine Rogan 542, 546; Rebekah Gilmore 220, 30b; Matt Hinton 32t, 168; Beverly Coates 283, 432; Daniel Bearden 169, 479; Bridgett Kennedy 142, 383; Gravis Ballinger 182, 222; Danny Creel 498, 269; Erica Hinton 391, 111b; Philip Gilmore 47b (in memory of service men and women), 47t (in memory of Bud Oliver). Milford Cobbs asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with J.L. Hopper leading 402. Judy Caudle conducted the memorial lesson. She led 343 in honor of the following sick and shut-ins: Sammie Oliver, Betty Wright, Ben Bradford, Sandie Bradford, S.T. Reed, Lessie Reed, Josie Hyde, Stella Pratt, Johnie Chafin, Eugene Forbes, Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, Pam Nunn, Mike Nunn, Estelle Gilmore, and Loyd Ivey.

Judy read the following list of names of the deceased from the community: Steve Cobbs, Janice Turner, B.L. Holmes, Joan Ray, Gertrude Shaddix, Dalton Thompson, Len Gibbs, Arnold Evans, Wayne “Buffalo” Cobbs, and Aunt Bera Bradford. She led 459 in their memory. Judy read the following list of names of deceased members of the singing family: Bud Oliver, Clayton Ezell, Willard Wright, Harrison Creel, Charles Creel, Myrtle Ann Beasley, Pernie Pelfry, and Elder Bufrey Dean. She led 336 in their memory. Elder Philip Gilmore offered prayer to close the memorial service.

Leaders: Richard Mauldin 410t, 358 (in memory of Dick Mauldin); Lomax Ballinger 430; Grace Gilmore 208, 276; Larry Ballinger 151; Anna Hinton 277, 300; Susan Cherones 74b, 107; Gary Rogan 30t, 209; Lisa Geist 377, 540; Jamey Wootten 42; Bruce Coates 201, 503; Wanda Capps 203, 216; Eli Hinton 77t; Marilyn Burchett 267, 29t; Paula Gilmore 566; Margaret Thacker 39b, 569b; Marlin Beasley 278t (in memory of Myrtle Ann Beasley), 61 (for Juanita Beasley); Geraldine Sharpton 171, 299; Hazel Heinze 452, 535; Daniel Hopper 449, 450; Christopher Mann, William Clay, Anna Grace Sipe, Beth Anne Clay, and Garrett Sipe 63, 178; Susan Holmes 340, 441; Nicholas Thompson 213t.

Announcements were made. J.L. Hopper led 62 as the closing song. He offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—J.L. Hopper; Vice Chairman—Milford Cobbs; Secretary—Judy Caudle