Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

On June 7, the first Sunday in June, several singers met at Holly Springs Primitive Baptist Church, near Bremen, Georgia, for the Sunday session of the Holly Springs Memorial Sacred Harp singing. While practicing social distancing, those who wished wore masks as well due to the corona virus.

Daniel Williams called the class to order leading 60. Cecil Roberts offered the opening prayer. Daniel Williams led 499, then welcomed the class. He began, “We are here today to sing and sing in a way to honor generations in the past that have sung here before. Particularly, for me today, we honor Charlene Wallace and Richard DeLong. Charlene as y’all know appointed Richard to serve as Chairman when she was not able to be here. And Richard appointed me to serve as Vice Chairman. Richard has been called up, I believe to sing where there are more tenors and better acoustics, so that’s why I’m here. With that being said, we’ll have a quick business session and properly elect officers.”

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Daniel Williams; Vice Chairman—Samuel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell; Memorial Lesson—Glenda Collins; Arranging Officer—Isaac Green.

Leaders: Samuel Williams 171, 30t; Glenda Collins 32t, 63; Donna Bell 283, 399b (in memory of Richard DeLong); Winfred Kerr 225t, 500 (both for Rebecca Over); Emmadene Williams 123b, 68b; Cecil Roberts 42, 28b; Celeste Silva 159, 175; Bert Collins 97, 124.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Samuel Williams leading 448t. Leaders: Jack Nelson 145b (for William Futral and Virginia Futral), 224; Zachary Silva 227, 117; Esther Williams 33t, 276; Daniel Bearden 52t, 203; Lori Silva and Jed Silva 76t, 133; Tony Hammock 131t, 494; Lena Silva 59, 354b.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Glenda Collins. Glenda read the names of the deceased and of the sick and shut-ins. The deceased lovingly remembered were Bentley McGuire, Richard DeLong, Charlene Wallace, Mildred Patterson, Robby Rivers—Georgia; Ruth Daniel, Rozlyn Greene, Ottis Sides, Betty Culver, and Sara Nelson—Alabama; Bill Beverly—Michigan. The sick and shut-ins honored were Michelle Kennedy (Glenda Collin’s daughter), Lucy Garner, Philip Denney, William Futral, Virginia Futral, Barry Rollins, Karen Rollins, and Jerry Rollins. Glenda Collins led 208 for the deceased. Amber Davis led 400 for the sick and shut-ins. Daniel Williams closed the memorial lesson with prayer. Leaders: Virginia Dyer 217, 340; Shane Brown 228, 56t. Shane Brown asked the blessing of the noon meal at the tables.

LUNCH

Isaac Green brought the afternoon session to order leading 442 (by request). Leaders: Caleb Silva 163b, 504; Rene Greene 200, 454; Molly Silva 29t, 49b; Amber Davis 30b, 436; Isaac Green 541, 573 (for Oscar McGuire), 485 (for Oscar McGuire); Hadassah Silva and Lori Silva 157; Rene Greene 155 (in memory of Charlene Wallace); Daniel Williams 77t (in memory of Richard DeLong).

Announcements were made. Although the Holly Springs Memorial was only held on Sunday this year, it will resume as a two-day singing next year, on the first Sunday and Saturday before in June, 2021. Samuel Williams led 120 (for Philip Denney). Daniel Williams thanked those in attendance for coming to the singing and for the delicious lunch. He led 209 as the closing song. Cecil Roberts offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Daniel Williams; Vice Chairman—Samuel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell