Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 20

The eighty-third session of the Calhoun County Sacred Harp Convention met at Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church in the Four Mile Community between Anniston and Jacksonville, Alabama on the third Sunday and Saturday before in September. The convention was called to order by B. J. Harris leading songs on pages 30t amd 503. The morning prayer was led by S. T. Reed. Ruth Brown led songs on pages 82t and 63; Evelyn Harris 155 and 47t.

A business session was held and the following officers elected or appointed: Chairman—Roy Nelson; Vice Chairman—B. J. Harris; Secretary—Evelyn Harris; Arranging Committee—Pearl Guier and Hester Edwards; Memorial Committee—Mary F. Smith.

Leaders: Roy Nelson 176t, 145t; Pearl Guier 40, 59; Alice Edwards 73b, 104, 271b; Harvey Austin 101t, 100; Charlene Wallace 129, 495; Milton Oliver 496, 321; Beulah Reese 85, 72b; Freeman Wootten 37b, 360; Lou Cotney 196, 172, 497.

RECESS

B. J. Harris called the class to order leading song on page 438. Leaders: Bud Oliver 145b, 345t; Jewel Wootten 324, 332; Dennis George 28b, 29t; Mary F. Smith 400, 334; Pam Nunn 84, 168, 137; Paul Gilliland 30b, 569b; Lydia Baswell, Vella Dailey, and Ovada Carr 147t, 40, 323b; Elder Bud Daugherty 290, welcomed everyone, and gave a short talk.

LUNCH

Roy Nelson called the class together leading song on page 436. Leaders: Jeff Sheppard 325, 313 (t? b?), 160b; Judy Mincey 384, 225 (t? b?); Cecil Gilliland 329, 217; Louise Nelson 350, 282; Hershell King 163 (t? b?), 222, 348b; Shelbie Sheppard 418, 333; S. T. Reed 567, 278b; Don Bowen 77b, 303, 510; Bud Oliver 42, 318; Charlene Wallace 106; Paul Gilliland 490; Jewel Wootten 434; Judy Mincey 489b; Dennis George 127; Louise Nelson 87; Cecil Gilliland 273; S. T. Reed 79; Pearl Guier and Hester Edwards 45t. Roy Nelson led song on page 46 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Elder Howard Cook.

Sunday, September 21

The convention was called to order by Roy Nelson leading song on page 32t. The morning prayer was led by Lamar Smith. Leaders: Roy Nelson 82 (t? b?); B. J. Harris 63, 475; Ruth Brown 108t, 108b, and welcomed everyone; Pearl Guier 59, 448b; Evelyn Harris 378t, 332; Alice Edwards 566, 104, 173; Harvey Austin 72b, 335; Beulah Reese 421, 348b; Milton Oliver 314, 318; Jimmie Denney 87, 101t; Jimmy Cates 317, 112.

RECESS

B. J. Harris brought the class back together leading song on page 438. Leaders: Lou Cotney 300, 172, 203; Eula Johnson 460, 212; Louis Hughes 38b, 565b, 147 (t? b?); Carlene Griffin 85, 146, 270; Bobby Bailey 361, 167, 126; Margie Smith 512, 493, 69b; Lamar Smith 76b; Reba Norton 327, 298, 61.

The memorial was given by Mary F. Smith with comments made about the singers and friends we have lost in the past year. Mary F. Smith led songs on pages 209 and 348b in memory of: Josie McAlpin, Jimmy Causey, Barrett Ashley, Bonnie Ashley, Vena Holley, Lola Jenkins, Arthur Beckett, Melton Wallace, Clelan Cobb, Grady Brown, Malone Austin, and Mike Daniel.

Louise Nelson led song on page 45t for the sick and shut-ins. There are a lot of people who are sick and shut-in, and whose names will not appear on our list, but they are remembered along with the following: Jap Walton, I. V. McWhorter, Revy Williamson, Helen Bryson, Jerry Sheppard, and Mozelle Sheppard. The memorial was closed with prayer led by Lonnie Rogers.

LUNCH

Roy Nelson called the class to order leading song on page 434. Leaders: B. M. Smith 164, 497, 284; Bonnie Flowers 147b, 290, 149; Lonnie Rogers 225t; Shelbie Sheppard 296, 368; Nancy Allen 401; Henry Johnson 68b, 338, 388; Carylon McCareeth 358, 294; Bud Oliver 288, 328, 39 (t? b?); Estelle Flowers 123 (t? b?), 141, 280; Louise Nelson 159, 282; Jeff Sheppard 439, 352, 150; Ruth Daniel 155; Ulmer McCreeth and Harvey Austin 373, 397.

After announcements were made, Roy Nelson and B. J. Harris led song on page 46 for the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Bobby Bailey.

Chairman—Roy Nelson; Vice Chairman—B. J. Harris; Secretary—Evelyn Harris.