Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at Old Harmony Primitive Baptist Church near Abernathy, Cleburne County, Alabama, was held on the third Sunday in April. Robert Chambless welcomed everyone to the Easter Sunday singing, and then mentioned that he looked at photographs the previous evening of this singing he had taken five years ago. Robert noted that several of our regular singers have passed away since that time. He named and nodded to where a few of those singers usually sat, and then stated that we miss their presence today. Samuel Williams offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Donna Bell 480, 340 (in honor of Lawrence Edwards and in memory of Stanly Edwards); Judy Chambless 415, 37b (both songs for Karen Rollins); Sherrell Cleino 452 (in memory of B.J. Harris), 335; Cecil Roberts 97, 76b; Ruth Daniels 155 (in memory of Evelyn Harris), 378t; Winfred Kerr 500 (for Hugh McGraw), 89; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 282, 566; Miranel Swafford 565, 32t; Ed Thacker 154 (in memory of Stanly Edwards and B.M. Smith), 498.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed: Chairman—Robert Chambless; Vice Chairman—Winfred Kerr; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless; Memorial Lesson—Judy Chambless.

RECESS

Winfred Kerr brought the class back to order by leading 314. Leaders: Dalton Lewis 472, 354b; John Plunkett 156, 197; Rebecca Over 55 (in memory of A.J. McClendon), 283 (in memory of Earlis McGraw and in honor of Charlene Wallace); Virginia Dyer 61, 28b; Richard DeLong 70t (for Hugh McGraw), 95; Samuel Williams 551, 378b; Oscar McGuire 163b, 441; Fallon Cook 63, 146; Gary Davis and Karen Flagg 35, 45t; Ann Simpson 47t, 445; John Plunkett 236; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 100.

Judy Chambless conducted the memorial lesson. She spoke of looking at the photographs Robert had mentioned earlier of the people who are no longer with us, but live on in our memory. Judy read the names of the sick and shuts-ins and of the deceased. The sick and shut-ins honored were Karen Rollins, Hugh McGraw, and Eloise Wootten. The deceased remembered were B.M. Smith, Earlis McGraw, Geneva Prichard, Hester Edwards, Janelle Davis, James Hughes, Gail Jackson, Lynn Swafford Key, Harold DeLong, Levon Wootten, Gravis Ballinger, and Nellie Mae White. Judy Chambless led 209. Cecil Roberts closed the memorial lesson with prayer. Henry Johnson offered the blessing of the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing began with Robert Chambless leading 225t. Leaders: Jason Stanford 142, 535; Sherrell Cleino 127 (in memory of Uncle Clellan); Donna Bell 84; Ed Thacker 112 (in memory of Gravis Ballinger); Winfred Kerr 47b; Rebecca Over 42; Oscar McGuire 515; Cecil Roberts 303; Samuel Williams 68t; Richard DeLong 432; Ann Simpson 358; Jason Stanford 73b; Rebecca Over 74t; Oscar McGuire 229; Ed Thacker 192; Cecil Roberts 168; Ann Simpson 388; Samuel Williams 332; Donna Bell 49b (in memory of B.J. and Evelyn Harris); Winfred Kerr 516; Sherrell Cleino 128; Jason Stanford and Iris Stanford 159; Rebecca Over 114 (in memory of Buford McGraw).

Following announcements, Robert Chambless led 56t as the closing song. Ed Thacker offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Robert Chambless; Vice Chairman—Winfred Kerr; Secretary—Donna Bell