Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Huntsville Sacred Harp Singing was held at the country church at Burritt Museum atop Monte Sano Mountain, Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday before the first Sunday in May. The class was called to order by Linton Ballinger leading 32t. Buddy Ballinger offered the opening prayer.

After welcoming comments, the class organized with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Linton Ballinger; Vice Chairman—Samuel Sommers; Secretaries—Amanda Hardiman and Teresa Hope; Arranging Committee—Lomax Ballinger and Linton Ballinger.

Leaders: David Ivey 428; Lomax Ballinger 277; Teresa Hope and Amanda Hardiman 155; Richard Ivey 495; Gravis Ballinger 112; Francis Jones and Donald Jones 358; Mark Carroll 480; Vella Dailey 87; David Ballinger 340; Bea Aaron 175; Rodney Ivey 422; Daniel Bearden 184; Ann Jett 269; Jimmy Ballinger 84; Margaret Thacker 225t; Henry Johnson 338; Lynne deBenedette 192; Earl Ballinger 97; Cheyenne Ivey 384; Phil Summerlin 313t; Allison Whitener and Grace Whitener 399b.

RECESS

Samuel Sommers led 319 to bring the class together. Leaders: Charles McCravy 176b; Lisa Geist 273; Nate Green and Norma Green 398; Richard Mauldin 168; Eugene Forbes 280; Shelby Castillo and Reba Windom 208; Brad Bahler and Karen Bahler 77t; Danny Creel 532; Amber Davis 214; Will Fitzgerald 34t; Rick Cunningham 70b; Angela Myers 411; Larry Ballinger 151; Mona Bowman, Laura Bowman, Kate Bowman, and Teresa Hope 63.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by Buddy Ballinger leading 343. Leaders: Ron Harper 200; Gail Doss 547; Scott Ivey and J.L. Hopper 187; Karen Isbell 448t; Shane Wootten 42.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Judy Caudle and Henry Johnson. Judy Caudle read the following list of names of the deceased: Evelyn Harris, Jean Ballinger, Betty Wright, Hobert Ivey, Sammie Oliver, Olivia Wootten Moore, Phillip Wootten, Stanly Edwards, Elizabeth Mabe, Audress Gurley, and Dawson Adams—Alabama; David Rust and Arthur Hall—Indiana; Raymond Hamrick—Georgia. Henry Johnson spoke on behalf of the deceased.

Judy Caudle read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Jimmy Waugh, S.T. Reed, Wayne Reed, Bill Davis, B.M. Smith, Coy Ivey, Loyd Ivey, Sandie Scott, Jennifer Watley, Norma Harwood, Betty Shepherd, Norman Greeson, Susan Bingham, Syble Adams, and Kermit Adams. Judy Caudle and Henry Johnson led 68b, and Phil Summerlin closed the memorial service with prayer.

Leaders: Dennis George 447; Tom George 446; Paige Winslett 107; Darrell Swarens 341; Nancy Thompson 27; David Rousseau 430; Judy Caudle 365; Kelsey Ivey 426t. Phil Summerlin offered a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Stuart Ivey leading 166. Leaders: Jim Aaron 47t; Dylan Feezell 36b; Karen Freund 300; Rick Hoffman 111t; Geraldine Sharpton 318; Ed Thacker 213t; Presley Barker 505; Reba Windom 142; Drew McGuire 298; Loretta Whitman 75; Nicholas Thompson 217; Steve Adams 99; Beth Ann Clay 178; J.L. Hopper 174; Bridgett Hill Kennedy 377; Laurens Blankers 479; Elene Stovall 189; Mike Richards 546; Tammy Heinsohn 159; Pattie Doss 528; Caleb Dillehay 339; Susan Cherones 564; Joanna Nicovich 94; Russell Pope 40; Linda Thomas 560; Claudene Townson and Robin Smith 106; Ken Robinson 108t; Peter Meisner 551; Daniel Lee 565; Karen Ivey 144.

Following announcements, Linton Ballinger and Samuel Sommers led 46 as the closing song. Elder J.L. Hopper offered the closing prayer.

Chairman—Linton Ballinger; Vice Chairman—Samuel Sommers; Secretaries—Amanda Hardiman and Teresa Hope