Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 23

The 114th session of the Alabama State Sacred Harp Musical Convention met at Jefferson State Community College on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in November. The class was brought to order by Richard Ivey leading page 70b. The morning prayer was offered by Eddie Mash.

Leaders: Henry Johnson 144; Cheyenne Ivey 76b; Sharon DuPriest 503; Jim Aaron 68b; Eddie Mash 506; David Ivey 324; Rodney Ivey 464; B.M. Smith 350; Mike Hinton 456; Jack Nelson 560; Zilpha Cornett 354b; Joe Nall 171; Geraldine Sharpton 318; David Carlton 183; Carol Fannin 225t; Daniel Lee 73t; Gail Doss 148; Douglas Fower 168; Sarah Beasley 340; Bill Waddington 474; Ann Gray 454; Jack Pate 341.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Cindy Tanner leading 155. Leaders: Louis Hughes 496; Vella Dailey 452; Nate Green and Norma Green 426b; Charlotte Ehrman 157.

A business session was held and the following officers and committee members were elected or appointed: Chairman—Henry Johnson; Vice Chairman—Nate Green; Chaplin—Eddie Mash; Arranging Committee—Cindy Tanner and Sharon DuPriest; Resolutions Committee—Mike Hinton and Matt Hinton; Location Committee—Linda Thomas and David Ivey; Finance Committee—Rodney Ivey and B.M. Smith; Memorial Committee—Karen Rollins and Judy Caudle; Secretaries—Linda Thomas, Elene Stovall, and Cheyenne Ivey.

Leaders: Buell Cobb 88b; Roberta Strauss 203; David Brodeur 528; Bea Aaron 438; Tim Taylor 228; Karen Rollins 222; John Plunkett 92; Nicole Bowman 542; Steve Helwig 195; Anna Hinton 282; Robert Chambless 317; Judy Mincey 475; Scott Ivey 131t.

RECESS

Eddie Mash brought the class back together leading 111b. Leaders: Kenneth Fannin 329; Mary Amelia Taylor 298; Steve Adams 378t; Jeannette DePoy 300; Nikos Pappas 163t; Wendy Futral and Robert Anderson 30b; Max Berueffy 220; Emily Brown 77t; Gary Smith 344; Pam Nunn and Rene Greene 556 (in memory of Jeff Sheppard), 216 (for Shelbie Sheppard); Marlin Beasley 460; Judy Chambless 540; Hubert Nall 440; Daphene Causey 225b; Jackson Fleder, Jesse Bradford, and Grace Pettygrove 208; Paula Picton 336; Danny Creel 428; Judy Caudle 439; Dennis George 564; Cassie Allen 558; Darrell Swarens 507; Holly Mixon 142. The blessing before the noon meal was offered by Eddie Mash.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Henry Johnson leading 166. Leaders: Scott DePoy 114; Ann Jett 269; Ryan Bowman 455; Anne Drexler 277; Richard Maudlin 446; Reba Windom 436 (in memory of Tat Bailey); Ken Tate 547; Erica Hinton 180; Tim Morton 431; Lynne deBenedette 532; Eugene Forbes 218; Shannon Primm 550; Matt Hinton and Hayley Lewis 186; Jane Spencer 315; Jonathon Smith 326; Johanna Sims 319; Jackie Tanner 270; Karen Freund 272; Nathan Rees 273; Lauren Bock and Pamela Minor 418; Robert DuPree 569 (t? b?); Tom George 145t; Stanley Smith 112; Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall 217.

David Ivey presented a certificate of appreciation to representatives of the Sacred Harp Publishing Company for donations made to SHMHA for scholarships to Youth Camp FaSoLa. President Mike Hinton, Executive Secretary Karen Rollins, Board Chairman John Plunkett, Board Member Nathan Rees, and Board Member Richard Ivey accepted the certificate.

David also presented a certificate of appreciation to the Sheppard family in recognition of Jeff Sheppard. Rene Greene and Pam Nunn expressed their gratitude, and accepted the certificate.

Announcements were made. Henry Johnson led 521as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Eddie Mash, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, November 24

The Sunday Session of the Alabama Sacred Harp Musical Convention began at 9:30 a.m. with Henry Johnson leading 60. The opening prayer was offered by Eddie Mash.

Leaders: Nate Green 32t; Linda Thomas 81b; Elene Stovall and Linda Thomas 556; Eddie Mash 411; Matt Hinton and Eddie Mash 365; Mike Hinton 434; David Ivey 309; B.M. Smith 284; Judy Caudle 403; Rodney Ivey 306; Karen Rollins 50b; Sharon DuPriest 186; Cindy Tanner and Cassie Allen 440; Tom George 572; Hayley Lewis 335; Lauren Bock 362; Shane Wootten 332 (in memory of Bud Oliver); Charlotte Ehrman 113; Max Bruce 398; Paula Picton 573; Nathan Rees 417; Linda Thomas and Loyd Ivey 47t (for Hobert Ivey); Nicole Bowman 211; Chris Ballinger 120.

RECESS

The class was reconvened by Henry Johnson leading 288. Leaders: Daniel Bearden 571; Holly Mixon 442; Bill Waddington 99; Scott DePoy and Jeannette DePoy 274t; Richard Ivey 433; Cassie Allen, Nathan Rees, Richard Ivey, and Jonathon Smith 176b; Delone Cobbs and Mary Francis Clay 45t; Larry Ballinger 528; Anna Hinton 40; Roberta Strauss 441; Jennifer Clay, Beth Anne Clay, and Bekah Lauren Clay 178; Judy Chambless 527.

RECESS

Nate Green called the class to order leading 378b. Leaders: Louis Hughes 472; Kathy Williams 276.

Judy Caudle and Karen Rollins conducted the memorial lesson. Judy Caudle spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins, and read their names as follows: Reuben Ball, Jetha Brooks, Josephine Denney, S.T. Reed, Betty Wright, Sammie Oliver, Shelbie Sheppard, Toney Smith, LaVoy Smith, Susan Cherones, Hobert Ivey, Evelyn Harris, Karen Edwards, Charles Kitchens, Ruth Daniel, Stella Pratt, Johanna Fabke, Velton Chafin, Johnnie Chafin, Kermit Adams, C.T. Williams, Genny Whitworth, and John Oliver Bruner. She led 277.

Karen Rollins spoke on behalf of the deceased, and read their names as follows: Myrtle Ann Beasley, Arlene Kitchens, Pernie Pelfrey, Willard Wright, Bud Oliver, Lessie D. Reed, Jeff Sheppard, Josie Hyde, Teenie Moody, Mary Kitchens Gardner, Lou Cotney, Tat Bailey, Elder Bufrey Dean, Leona Haynes, Charles Wright, Clayton Ezell, Diane Mennella, Carroll Lunsford, Terry Smith Redd, Floyd Smith, Evelyn Schrock, Jim Hearne, Mike Dunn, Wendell Wakefield, Lillie Lacy Branden, Elbert Griffin, Dean McNeil, and Mary Ola Porter. Karen led 146. Judy Chambless closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Ann Jett and Yancey Jett 172; Judy Mincey 468; Eli Hinton 77t; Daphene Causey 192; Cindy Mann and Christopher Mann 159; Karen Freund and Lynne deBenedette 56b; William Clay 168.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Henry Johnson leading 289. Leaders: Tim Cook 162; Shannon Primm 278t; Jackson Fleder 240; Robert Chambless 384; David Brodeur 430; Dennis George 349; Steve Helwig and Mike Hinton 534; Stanley Smith 500; Jane Spencer 548; Danny Creel 383; Darrell Swarens 198; Ryan Bowman 86; Steve Adams and Cassie Allen 101t; Ann Drexler 87; Tim Taylor and Mary Amelia Taylor 189; Erica Hinton 187; Scott Ivey and Jackie Tanner 39b (for Hobert Ivey); Tim Morton 394; Jonathon Smith 296; Ken Tate 29t; Johanna Sims 175.

RECESS

Dennis George called the class to order leading 345t. Leaders: William Price and Pollie Griffin 35; Douglas Fower 299; Sarah Beasley and Seth Holloway 236; Gail Doss 501; Hubert Nall 421; Daniel Lee 328; Gary Smith 66 (in memory of his sister and father); Bea Aaron 283; Dylan Feezell 47b; Marlin Beasley 298; Wanda Capps 142; Coy Ivey and Jennifer Clay 222; Norma Green 84.

A business session was held for the purpose of hearing reports. The Resolutions Committee thanked everyone who helped make the convention a success. The Finance Committee reported that expenses were met, and thanked everyone who contributed. The Secretaries’ report was given, stating that a total of 210 songs were led in two days by leaders from 10 states and Canada. The business session was closed, and announcements were made.

Henry Johnson and Nate Green led 45b as the closing song. Eddie Mash offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Henry Johnson; Vice Chairman—Nate Green; Secretaries—Linda Thomas, Elene Stovall, and Cheyenne Ivey