Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Decoration Day Sacred Harp singing at Cane Creek Primitive Baptist Church was held on the third Sunday in May. The class was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Glenda Collins leading 101t. Cecil Roberts offered the opening prayer. Glenda Collins welcomed everyone, and then led 100.

Leaders: Cecil Roberts 56t (in memory of Elder Homer Benefield and Elder Lewis Norton), 48t; Donna Bell 378t, 178; Judy Chambless 448b, 37b; Louise Holland 36b, 32t; Charlene Wallace 49t, 49b; Jack Nelson 179, 560; Robby Rivers 384, 480; Winfred Kerr 45t (for Hester Edwards), 47b.

RECESS

Richard DeLong called the class back to order leading 375 (in memory of Henry Kerr) and 294 (by request). Leaders: Robert Chambless 569t, 72b; Frances Jones 317, 358; Tony Hammock 465 (in memory of Stanly Edwards), 464; Sylvia Holland 348b, 146; Ruth Daniel 47t (in memory of her sister, Evelyn Harris), 378b; Nellie Mae White 111t, 155; Virginia Dyer 63, 454 (by request); Dalton Lewis and Virginia Dyer 354b.

Robert Chambless conducted the memorial lesson. He talked about remembering the places where singers used to sit at a singing. Roberts said, “You could go through and almost touch and feel the people in those places and talk to them. You get to a point where you look to see who’s there and you really look to see who’s not there.” He stated that the Bible tells us that there is a time and a place for everything. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to get sick and a time to get well. Robert said that we have to trust that it’s God’s will and everything is going to be in His time and in His way. Jack Nelson led 472 for the following sick and shut-ins: Edna Phillips, Jacob Acton, Loyd Ivey, B.M. Smith, George Garner, Lucy Garner, and Karen Rollins.

Robert Chambless read a thank you note from the Evelyn Harris family, and the names of the other deceased. Richard DeLong led 339 in memory of the following deceased: Evelyn Harris, William Norton, Elder Lewis Norton, Donal Norton, Raymond Hamrick, Carol B. Sanders, and Stanly Edwards. Joe Jones recognized Miss Hester Edwards (age 96). Miss Hester has been sick and unable to attend recent singings. Charlie Norton closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Charlie Norton gave the cemetery report. He stated that during the past year some funds in the account for the upkeep of the cemetery had been misappropriated, but reassured everyone that the issue has been resolved. Charlie also noted that Miss Hester Edwards was very instrumental in starting the cemetery fund in the 1970s.

Leaders: Tony Hammock 314; Jack Nelson 438; Frances Jones 569b; Sylvia Holland 68b; Robby Rivers 87; Louise Holland 323b. Robert Chambless offered the blessing before the noon meal at the tables.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Glenda Collins leading 82t. Leaders: Judy Green 147t, 127; Cecil Roberts 229; Ruth Daniel 129; Robert Chambless 494; Donna Bell 546; Charlene Wallace 61; Winfred Kerr 89; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 340; Richard DeLong 154; Nellie Mae White 145t; Judy Chambless 527.

Announcements were made. Glenda Collins led 46 as the closing song. Jack Nelson offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—B.M. Smith; Vice Chairman—Glenda Collins; Secretary—Donna Bell