Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing held at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church on the fourth Sunday in June was called to order by Larry Ballinger leading 31b. Earl Ballinger offered the morning prayer.

After welcoming comments, the class organized by electing or appointing the following officers to serve: Chairman—Larry Ballinger; Vice Chairman—Chris Ballinger; Secretary—Teresa Hope; Arranging Committee—Buddy Ballinger and David Ballinger.

Leaders: David Ballinger 123t; Earl Ballinger 120; Teresa Hope 384; Linton Ballinger, Sherry Stover, and Allie Ballinger 354b; Jimmy Ballinger 565; Linda Sides 182; Leslie Brady and Patrick Brady 63 (in memory of Gravis Ballinger); Andy Ditzler 150; Beverly Nelson, Graham Jenkins, and Miles Jenkins 137; Albert Humber 405; Shirley Figura 299; Nicholas Holmes 34t; Sharon DuPriest 155; David Jackson 225t; Betty Baccus and Matthew Cook 318, 274t; Nicholas Thompson 217; Loretta Whitman 277; Mike Hankins 168; Darlene Reynolds 282; Jarrod Litton and Joy Litton 108t; Blake Sisemore 530; Judy Caudle 422; Charles Humber 480.

Danny Creel presented a plaque to the family of Gravis Ballinger, on behalf of the Sacred Harp Publishing Company, for his untiring support of and dedicated service to the cause of Sacred Harp singing.

RECESS

Chris Ballinger, Katie Ballinger, and Lauren Ballinger led 145t to bring the class back together. Leaders: Lomax Ballinger 144; Elene Stovall 200; Phillip Ballinger 232; Leon Ballinger and Judy Thomas 313b; Will Thompson 68b; Buddy Ballinger, Jill Porter, Ella Porter, Eady Porter, Sam West, and Aiden West 45t (in memory of Lavaughn Ballinger and Gravis Ballinger); Cassie Allen and Ken Tate 475, 273; Glenn Keeton, Lena Keeton, Matthew Keeton, and Isabella Keeton 235, 163b; David Brodeur 170; Henry Guthery 276 (in memory of Bud Oliver); Ann Jett 498; Paul Figura 70b; Lilly Underwood 426t.

RECESS

Lisa Geist led 528 to bring the class back together. Leaders: David Ivey 212 (in memory of D.T. White); Reba Windom and Shelby Castillo 411, 196; David White 371; Nate Green and Norma Green 438; Jack Pate 569b; Chuck Howell 112; Cindy Tanner 436 (in memory of Marie Aldridge and for Lucy Heidorn); Arlon Gardner 481; Tony Ivey 385b.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Larry Ballinger leading 56t. Leaders: Scott Ivey 164; Scott Ivey and Tony Ivey 270; Amber Davis 380 (for Paula Springfield); Amber Davis and Nicholas Thompson 192 (for Ozella Blackmon); Danny Creel 428, 111b; Chris Nicholson 34b, 477; Loyd Ivey 283; Loyd Ivey and Leon Ballinger 424; Alex Forsyth 186, 187; Warren Steel 195, 224; Rodney Ivey and Ryan Knight 129, 39b; Henry McGuire 121, 532; Donald Jones 178, 159; Wayne Baines 340, 339; Edwin Ballinger 300, 36b; Estes Jackson, Erselle Jackson, and David Jackson 42, 75; Chris Nicholson and Leon Ballinger 47t; Paul Figura and Shirley Figura 30b; Lisa Geist 304.

Announcements were made. Larry Ballinger led 323t as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Danny Creel, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Larry Ballinger; Vice Chairman—Chris Ballinger; Secretary—Teresa Hope