Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 127th session of the Cleburne County Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Edwardsville Baptist Church, Cleburne County, Alabama, on the third Sunday in August. Cecil Roberts called the class to order by leading 49t, using a 1936 Edition of The Sacred Harp, donated to the convention by Midge and Al Kuester in 1962 in memory of J.W. (Uncle Will) Laminack. The book was given with explicit instructions that the only time it can be used is for the introductory lesson of the Cleburne County Sacred Harp Singing Convention. Jack Nelson offered the opening prayer. Cecil welcomed the singers and visitors, thanked the church for hosting the convention, and then led 146.

Leaders: Rene Greene 101t, 40; Donna Bell 36b, 37b; Judy Chambless 556, 318; Jack Nelson 35, 480; Winfred Kerr 89, 47b; Charlene Wallace 155; Tony Hammock 314, 112; Virginia Dyer 340, 193; Henry Johnson 317, 322; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 100, 45t.

RECESS

Rene Greene brought the class back to order by leading 84. Leaders: David Brodeur 37t, 81b; Robert Chambless 282, 303; Reba Windom 313t, 213t; Andy Ditzler 152, 144; Richard DeLong 70t, 81t; Gary Davis 59; Jack Nelson 95, 180; Tony Hammock 430, 436; Rene Greene 302, 294; Fallon Cook 186, 225b; Henry Johnson 289, 138b; Reba Windom 270, 299 (for Betty Shepherd); Donna Bell 288, 442; Andy Ditzler 101b, 102.

Judy Chambless conducted the memorial lesson. She made remarks about each person on the sick and shut-in list. The sick and shut-ins honored were Ed Thacker, Margaret Thacker, B.M. Smith, Eloise Wootten, Lois Bowman, and James Hughes.

Judy mentioned that death affects us all differently. She stated that when she first started singing Sacred Harp people would tell her that one day she would look around the square and some of the regular singers wouldn’t be there; they would be gone. She now understands the concept of looking for a particular singer and not seeing them. The deceased remembered were Gary Smith, Earlis McGraw, Geneva Prichard, Toney Smith, S.T. Reed, Janelle Davis, Mrs. Nolan, Curtis Hamrick, Hester Edwards, and Elder Neal Prichard. Judy led 339. Robert Chambless closed the memorial lesson with prayer. Reverend Jeff Layton, pastor of the church, offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing began with Cecil Roberts leading 56t. Leaders: David Brodeur 82b; Philip Denney 168, 61; Jason Stanford, Joel Stanford, and Leela Stanford 460; Ann Simpson 388; Fallon Cook 268 (for Joann Ward), 548 (for Isaac Green); Robert Chambless 75 (dedicated to the folks at Edwardsville Baptist Church); Virginia Dyer 63; Charlene Wallace 283; Winfred Kerr 68b; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 472.

A business session was held with the following officers retained: Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Rene Greene; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless.

Following announcements, Cecil Roberts led 58 as the closing song. Jason Stanford offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Rene Greene; Secretary—Donna Bell