Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Shiloh-Little Vine Sacred Harp singing was held on the first Sunday in September at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church south of Tallapoosa, Haralson County, Georgia. The class was called to order by Cecil Roberts leading 30t. Jack Nelson offered the opening prayer. Cecil welcomed everyone to the singing and thanked the singers who came to sing for Robby Rivers’ funeral service on Friday. Cecil Roberts then led 97.

Leaders: Nathan Rees 31t, 64; Donna Bell 388 (in memory of Robby Rivers. This is the last song he led at Holly Springs on June 2, 2019), 294 (in memory of Mildred Patterson); Glenda Collins 124, 99; Winfred Kerr 47b, 549.

A motion was made to go into a business session. The class agreed to have the minutes published in the minutes book although not order books. The following officers were retained: Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Nathan Rees; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless. The business session was closed.

Leaders: Samuel Williams 201, 326; Karen Rollins 35, 36b; Robert Chambless 34b, 452.

RECESS

Nathan Rees called the class back to order leading 30b. Leaders: Jack Nelson 489, 200; Olivia Kerr Iverson 108b, 323b; Gary Davis 37b, 565; Bert Collins 542, 339; Joyce Lambert 312b, 56t; Fallon Dyer 40, 101t (in memory of Robby Rivers).

Karen Rollins conducted the memorial lesson. She stated, “Of course we look around the square and we miss a lot of people that we used to see here. I was thinking about the last time I brought Daddy here. We sat down. He was in a wheel chair and he sat right there. I sat next to him and I turned over my bottle of water. He gave me the worst look. We miss Preacher Homer (Benefield). So many people.” The deceased remembered were Eugene Forbes and Ruth Daniel—Alabama; Robby Rivers, Mildred Patterson, and Brandon McClure—Georgia. The sick and shut-in honored were Rozlyn Greene, Norma Mincey, Judy Mincey, Charlene Wallace, Betty Culver, Lucy Garner, Leonard Benefield, Virginia Dyer, Sara Nelson, Ottis Sides, Charles Woods, Richard DeLong, Jonathon Smith, and the people in the path of hurricane Dorian. Karen led 146 for the deceased and the sick and shut-ins. Cecil Roberts closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Judy Chambless 480, 84; Cecil Roberts 163b; Donna Bell 155 (in memory of Ruth Daniel, Eugene Forbes, Carlene Griffin, and in honor of Charlene Wallace); Glenda Collins 566. Robert Chambless offered the blessing of the noon meal at the table.

LUNCH

Cecil Roberts called the class to order leading 535. Leaders: Samuel Williams 320; Bert Collins 340; Robert Chambless 569b; Daniel Williams 77t; 457; Winfred Kerr 77b (for Charlene Wallace); Gary Davis 111t; Joyce Lambert 335; Jack Nelson 76b; Judy Chambless 105; Glenda Collins 45t; Daniel Williams and Karen Rollins 348b.

Announcements were made. Cecil Roberts, Judy Chambless, and Donna Bell led 138b 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