Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, December 12

The 21st annual Joe Beasley Memorial Singing was called to order by Richard Schmeidler. Marlin Beasley offered the morning prayer. Leaders: Richard Schmeidler 34b, 66, 474; Marlin Beasley 30t, 40, 47t; Becky Briggs 108t, 313t, 318; Sarah Beasley and Linda Hellerich 3 (LD), 333 (LD), 411 (LD); Jack Pate 75, 145b, 569b.

RECESS

Richard Schmeidler brought the class back together by leading 49b. Leaders: Loretta Whitman 48t, 142, 143; Chug Beasley and Ruth Nix 33b, 354b, 72b; Anne Steel 74b, 108b, 148; David Carlton 346 (CH), 341 (CH), 332; Warren Steel 623 (LD).

LUNCH

Henry Schuman led 32t to bring the class to order. Leaders: Dorothea Maynard 131 (CH), 137 (CB), 384; Warren Steel 400, 273, 272 (LD); Cora Sweatt 155, 47b, 312b; Henry Schuman 117 (CH), 137 (CH), 184 (CH), 206 (CH); David Carlton 98 (CB); Becky Briggs 460; Jack Pate 39b; Sarah Beasley 519 (CB); Chug Beasley and Ruth Nix 111b; Anne Steel 434; Richard Schmeidler 475; Dorothea Maynard 120; Marlin Beasley 571 (CB); Warren Steel 495; Cora Sweatt 146; Henry Schuman 142 (CH).

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

Sunday, December 13

The Sunday session of the Joe Beasley Memorial Singing was called to order by Richard Schmeidler leading 28t. Marlin Beasley offered the morning prayer. Leaders: Richard Schmeidler 84; Marlin Beasley 176b, 176t; Henry Schuman 318, 426b; Don Keeton 457, 317; Betty Baccus 436, 499; Darrell Swarens 36b, 350; Becky Briggs 336, 234; Gravis Ballinger 78, 76b; Gary Smith 549; Linda Hellerich and Gary Smith 99.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by Richard Schmeidler leading 535. Leaders: Cora Sweatt 159, 68b; Will McGuire 45t, 81b; Sarah Beasley 406, 145b; Richard Mauldin 126, 168; Bunk Beasley and Hailey Beasley 81t, 72b; Henry McGuire 103, 148; Chug Beasley and Ruth Nix 61, 33b; Drew McGuire 425, 29t.

Darrell Swarens and Richard Mauldin conducted the memorial lesson. Darrell told of how he started Sacred Harp singing because of the music. However, as time passed, it became about the people. He told of a dream he had recently. He was at a singing in a concrete block church, surrounded by B.F. White, E. J King, Demus and Robert Aldridge and many others who have passed since he began singing: Josie Hyde, Raymond Hamrick, Bud and Sammie Oliver, Edith Tate, Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard, and Harrison Creel to name just a few. Darrell was sitting on the bass front bench next to Harrison Creel. He leaned over and asked Harrison if this was Heaven. Harrison replied, “No, this is Alabama.” Darrell then read the following names of the sick and shut-ins: Kermit Adams, Willodean Barton, John Beasley, Anne Chalker, Velton Chafin, Alice McGuire, Brenda Pena, S.T. Reed, Ottis Sides, Toney Smith, Lavoy Smith, Corissa Sweatt, and Floy Wilder.

Richard Mauldin read the following list of names of the deceased: Dawson Adams, Robert DuPree, and Lloyd Humber—Alabama; George Easley and Elder Charles Pouten—Mississippi; Loraine Bayer—Ohio; Oliver Kindig-Stokes—Pennsylvania. Richard and Darrell led 111b. Seth Holloway led 236.

LUNCH

Henry Schuman brought the class to order by leading 145t. Leaders: Amber Davis 276, 434; Dorothea Maynard 218, 361; Earl Ballinger 217, 177; Steve Adams 331, 101t; Lisa Geist 472, 273; Ricky Beasley 49b, 47b; Larry Ballinger 306, 208 (in memory of Lloyd Humber); Patsy Kelley, Dorothea Maynard, and Becky Briggs 571 (CB), 235; Danny Creel 283, 498; Sarah Beasley, Marlin Beasley, Bunk Beasley, Chug Beasley, Cora Sweatt, Becky Briggs, Patsy Kelley, Dorothea Maynard, and Ricky Beasley 335, 340; Henry McGuire 442; Darrell Swarens 507; Drew McGuire 30b; Don Keeton 491; Richard Schmeidler 490; Amber Davis 192; Richard Mauldin 43. Announcements were made.

Richard Schmeidler led 146 as the closing song. Earl Ballinger dismissed the class with prayer.

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