Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, December 7

The 19th annual Joe Beasley Memorial Singing was called to order by Richard Schmeidler leading 34b. Marlin Beasley offered the morning prayer.

A business meeting was held and the following officers were re-elected: Chairman—John Beasley; Vice Chairman—Richard Schmeidler; Secretary—Sandie Scott; Acting Secretary and Arranging Officer—Henry Schuman.

Leaders: Marlin Beasley 101t, 129; Ann Gray 282, 318; Hugh Bill McGuire and Drew McGuire 472, 32b; Juanita Beasley 61, 63; Danny Creel 258 (CH), 54 (CH); Becky Briggs 384, 480; Steve Adams 309, 378t; Ann Jett 59 (CH); Jackson Fleder 34t, 204; Betty Baccus 499, 100.

RECESS

Richard Schmeidler led 475 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Henry Schuman and Linda Hellerich 189 (CH), 149 (CH); Drew McGuire 77t, 39t; Chug Beasley and Ruth Nix 235; Velton Chafin 308 (CH); Sarah Beasley 463 (CB), 512 (CB); Tim Cook 55 (CB), 573 (CB). The class sang the following songs from the Lloyd’s Hymnal: 333, 334, 272, 161, 411, 5, and 201.

LUNCH

Henry Schuman brought the class back together by leading 32t. Leaders: Don Keeton 284, 406; Cora Sweatt 99 (NHC), 49b; Freddie Briggs 388, 45t; Ken Tate 417, 544 (CH); Brenda Peña 229, 393 (CB); John Beasley 47b, 335; Kermit Adams 269, 99; Jerry Kitchens 39b, 30t; Gary Smith 137 (CB), 484 (CB); Warren Steel 495, 375, 507; Ori Hamilton 183, 58; Tim Cook 61b (CH); Hayley Lewis 448t; Danny Creel 316 (CH); Ann Jett 326 (CH); Richard Schmeidler 120; Seth Holloway, Melanie Vickery, Madison Vickery, and Brian Vickery 146, 142.

Announcements were made. Richard Schmeidler led 285t as the closing song. Marlin Beasley dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, December 8

The Sunday session of the Joe Beasley Memorial Sacred Harp Singing was called to order by Richard Schmeidler leading 66. Marlin Beasley offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Marlin Beasley 33b, 460; Hayley Lewis 131b, 318; Gary Smith 99, 565; Hugh Bill McGuire and Drew McGuire 40, 43; Ori Hamilton 312b, 410t; Juanita Beasley 39b, 270; Seth Poston 275b, 108b; Gravis Ballinger 120, 215; Becky Briggs 108t, 313t.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by Richard Schmeidler leading 155. Leaders: Willodean Barton 480, 482; Drew McGuire 134, 512; Cora Sweatt 145b, 111b; Jackson Fleder 144, 78; Angela Myers 306; Earl Ballinger 167, 205.

Judy Caudle and Richard Mauldin conducted the memorial lesson. Judy spoke for the sick and homebound. She led 27 in honor of the following: Sammie Oliver, Stella Pratt, S.T. Reed, Sandie Scott, Toney Smith and LaVoy Smith.

Richard spoke on behalf of the deceased and led 499 in memory of the following: Myrtle Ann Beasley, Mary Kitchens Gardner, Leona Haynes, Josie Hyde, Bud Oliver, Pernie Adams Pelfrey, Lessie Reed, Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, and Wendell Wakefield—Alabama; Carroll Lunsford—California; John Serwinski—Delaware; Emily Boswell and Floyd Smith—Mississippi; Diane Mennella—New York; Clayton Ezell and Terry Smith Redd—Tennessee. Marlin Beasley closed the memorial service with prayer.

Leaders: Betty Baccus 454, 45t; Kermit Adams 77t, 85; Seth Holloway 236.

LUNCH

Richard Schmeidler began the afternoon session by leading 474. Leaders: Chug Beasley and Ruth Nix 61; Lisa Geist 273; Wendell Rinehart 457; Judy Caudle 500; Steve Adams and Richard Mauldin 101t; Sarah Beasley and Patsy Kelly 571 (CB), 30t; Joan Aldridge 166; Ricky Beasley 30b; Brenda Peña 77b, 225t; Bunk Beasley 72b; Henry McGuire 362; Don Keeton 112; Richard Schmeidler 125, 228; Amber Davis 192; Larry Ballinger 217; Henry Schuman 532; Becky Briggs, John Beasley, Bunk Beasley, Sarah Beasley, Marlin Beasley, Cora Sweatt, and Chug Beasley 146, 274t.

Announcements were made. Richard Schmeidler led 46 as the closing song. Earl Ballinger dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—John Beasley; Vice Chairman—Richard Schmeidler; Secretary—Henry Schuman