Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, June 1

The annual Sacred Harp Memorial singing was held at Holly Springs Primitive Baptist Church, near Bremen, Georgia, on the first Sunday and Saturday before in June. Richard DeLong called the class to order at 9:30 a.m. leading 32t. Philip Denney offered the morning prayer. Richard mentioned that Charlene Wallace is the lifetime chairman of this singing. She was unable to attend due to illness. Richard then led 155 in honor of Charlene.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Richard DeLong; Vice Chairman—Daniel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Jeannette DePoy; Memorial Committee—Karen Rollins and Judy Chambless.

Leaders: Richard DeLong 29t; Samuel Williams 125, 78; Jeannette DePoy 475, 48t; David Smead 453, 470; Lela Crowder 277, 87; Winfred Kerr 77b (for Charlene Wallace), 65; Judy Chambless 527, 549; Fred Eady 192, 183.

RECESS

Daniel Williams brought the class back to order leading 218. Leaders: Glenda Collins 63, 454 (for Virginia Dyer); Johnathon Kelso 499 (in memory of his friend’s mother); Debora Grosse 288, 284; Oscar McGuire 485; Lisa Bennett 341 (in memory of Allan Jenkins), 450; Bert Collins 480, 542; Isaac Green 123t (for Hayden Arp), 488; Kathy Williams 464, 86; John Plunkett 471, 175; Robby Rivers, Oscar McGuire, and Richard DeLong 323b, 384. Elder Jesse Roberts gave a brief description of Susan’s illness. She passed away recently. Jesse expressed thanks and appreciation for everything done during this time.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Richard DeLong leading 81t. Leaders: Phillip Langley 172, 430; Anna Hinton 209, 142; Louis Hughes 314; Shane Brown 337, 66; Luke Strickland 354b, 276; Karen Rollins 446. Elder Jesse Roberts offered the blessing of the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

Donna Bell called the afternoon session to order leading 547. Leaders: Matt Hinton 138t, 187; Jesse Roberts 173, 180; Reba Windom 168, 411 (in memory of Margie Lacy and Lloyd Redding); Justin Bowen 135, 217; Inga Huebner 52b, 369; Michael Walker 30b, 460; Alec Williams 332, 324; Elene Stovall 436, 208; Derek Buckland 230; Tom George 483; Ben Fink 200; Robert Kelley 417, 43; Eddie Huckaby 56b, 448b; Sarah Trumbore 340; Henry Johnson 166.

RECESS

Daniel Williams brought the class together leading 333. Leaders: Erica Hinton 309; Philip Denney and Gayle Denney 146, 120; Mary Wright 312b, 35; Faye Hollis 299, 318; Esther Williams 108b; Dan Edwards 129; Pat Temple 373; Sheri Taylor 27, 56t. Announcements were made.

Richard DeLong, Daniel Williams, and Donna Bell led 323t as the closing song. Elder Jesse Roberts offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, June 3

The Sunday session of the Holly Springs Memorial singing was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Richard DeLong. He welcomed everyone, then led 60. Jack Nelson offered the opening prayer. Richard DeLong led 57 (in memory of Lloyd Redding).

Leaders: Daniel Williams 285t, 77t; Donna Bell 169, 496; Jeannette DePoy 89, 99; Cecil Roberts 58, 403; Scott DePoy 448t, 48t; Jack Nelson 344, 408; Judy Chambless 472 (for Rozlyn Green and Jonathon Smith); Robby Rivers, Fred Eady, and Richard DeLong 378t, 388 (in memory of Robby’s wife, Kathy Rivers); Isaac Green 422, 395.

RECESS

Daniel Williams called the class to order leading 457. Leaders: Philip Denney and Gayle Denney 300, 481, 358; Winfred Kerr 283, 383; Helen Bryson 208 (in memory of her friend), 411.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Karen Rollins and Judy Chambless. Judy began by saying, today I’m doing the deceased, but I’m in the mood to celebrate life. These people mean something to someone, and someone misses them. But if we celebrate life and remember the good times, then our life will be so much richer. What we’re celebrating today is life. We’re thankful for life. Those mentioned on the deceased list were Eugene Forbes—Alabama; Susan Roberts and Allen Lambert—Georgia; Nancy Powell—Oklahoma, and Paul Wilson—Minnesota.

Karen Rollins spoke for the sick and shut-ins. Karen mentioned that the people on this list mean something to some of us and would probably be here to sing today if they could. She spoke of visiting Charlene Wallace earlier in the week. Others on the sick and shut-ins list were Judy Mincey, Norma Mincey, Dennis Simmons, Phillip Reeves, Lucy Garner, Chris Holley, Kathe Pilibosian, Rozlyn Greene, Virginia Dyer, Betty Culver, Mike Nelson, Don Walker, and Charlotte Walker. Karen led 389. Philip Denney closed the memorial service with prayer.

Leaders: Donna Bell, Hank Blackmon, Mary Blackmon, and Reba Dowdon 105 (by request); Eddie Huckaby 178, 49b; Laura Frey 119, 163b. Cecil Roberts offered the blessing of the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

Richard DeLong brought the afternoon session together by leading 399b. Leaders: Dick Plunkett 159, 268; Karis Askin 129, 312b; Robert Kelley 413, 359; Pat Temple 72b; Michael Walker 140, 456; Lela Crowder 121; Fred Eady 332, 236; Mary Wright 477; Jim Neal 406; Kathy Williams 200; Robert Chambless 75; John Plunkett 466; Michael Spencer 420; Malinda Snow 32t; Samuel Williams 534; Sheri Taylor 227; Oscar McGuire 229; Fallon Cook 454 (for her mother, Virginia Dyer), 546.

Following announcements, the officers of the singing led 62 as the closing song, while those who wished took the parting hand. Jack Nelson offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Richard DeLong; Vice Chairman—Daniel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell