Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church was held on the first Sunday in September. The class was called to order by Cecil Roberts leading 60. Cecil welcomed everyone, offered the opening prayer, and then led 68b.

Leaders: Donna Bell 155 (in memory of Carlene Griffin), 505; Judy Chambless 196, 203; Jack Nelson 504 (in memory of B.M. Smith), 32t (for Eugene Forbes); Robert Chambless 72b, 494; Charlene Wallace 283; Virginia Dyer 37b, 40 (in memory of Shelbie Sheppard).

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Nathan Rees; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless.

Leaders: Tony Hammock 400, 112; Winfred Kerr 282, 36b; Nathan Rees 205, 172; Richard DeLong 345b, 325.

RECESS

Nathan Rees brought the class back to order by leading 35. Leaders: Rene Greene 464, 186; Karen Rollins 317, 318 (in memory of B.M. Smith); Judy Henry 392, 396; Gary Davis 480, 59; Rebecca Over 77b, 82t; Samuel Williams 95, 320; Ellen Johnson 34b, 99.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Karen Rollins. She talked about sharing our love for each other, focusing on the large crowd of singers that came to sing and pay tribute yesterday at B.M. Smith’s funeral, citing that some of them drove a long way and sat for about two hours as a way of showing love for him. Karen stated that the memorial lesson is the heart of a singing and read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Eugene Forbes, Myrline Redmon, Edna Ruth Phillips, William Futral, Virginia Futral, Leonard Benefield, Lois Bowman, and James Hughes.

The deceased remembered were S.T. Reed, B.M. Smith, Kathy Benefield, Toney Smith, Elder Neal Prichard, Curtis Hamrick, Earlis McGraw, Geneva Prichard, Ruth Steggles, and Hester Edwards. Karen led 343, and then closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Charles Woods 381, 197; Glenda Collins 138t; Glenda Collins and Richard DeLong 566; Daniel Williams 32b, 34t. Cecil Roberts thanked the class for contributing $215 and asked that it be recorded in the minutes. Clint Patterson offered the blessing of the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Cecil Roberts leading 278t. Leaders: Samuel Williams 278b; Glenda Collins 81t; Donna Bell 441; Charlene Wallace 440; Rebecca Over 453 (in memory of Earlis McGraw); Ellen Johnson 472; Daniel Williams 135; Tony Hammock 321; Richard DeLong 36t; Joyce Lambert 358 (for Mildred Patterson and in memory of her mother, Katherine Benefield), 56t (in memory of her daddy, Elder Homer Benefield); Jack Nelson 500; Robert Chambless 225t (in memory of B.M. Smith and Earlis McGraw); Rene Greene 145t; Winfred Kerr 146; Nathan Rees 435; Rebecca Over 39t.

Following announcements, Cecil Roberts and Nathan Rees led 294 as the closing song. Daniel Williams offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Nathan Rees; Secretary—Donna Bell