Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 3rd annual Sacred Harp singing at Poplar Springs Primitive Baptist Church, north of Bowdon, Carroll County, Georgia, was held on the fourth Sunday in September. Cecil Roberts called the class to order leading 138b. Samuel Williams offered the opening prayer. Cecil Roberts led 312b. Leaders: Donna Bell 499 (in memory of her classmate, Susan Speight O’Neil), 155 (in memory of Charlene Wallace and Ruth Daniel); Winfred Kerr 283, 225t (both songs for Rebecca Over); Shane Brown 49b, 177; Isaac Green 494, 422 (both songs in memory of Richard DeLong); Daniel Williams 448t, 42; Glenda Collins 35, 101t; Barbara Brooks 159; Barbara Brooks and Glenda Collins 294 (in memory of Mildred Patterson); Esther Williams 276; Virginia Dyer 112, 120, 182; Virginia Dyer and Glenda Collins 454 (in memory of Charlene Wallace, Richard DeLong, and Glenda’s aunt, Reba Norton).

RECESS

Cecil Roberts brought the class back to order leading 133 (in memory of Charlene Wallace). Leaders: Sarah George 48t, 100; Amber Davis 337, 348b; Bert Collins 339, 148; Laura Frey and Jenna Frey 178, 358.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Daniel Williams; Vice Chairman—Samuel Williams; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Shane Brown.

Leaders: Samuel Williams 110, 101b; Joyce Heath 137, 145b; Ann Simpson 445, 388. Shane Brown offered the blessing of the noon meal at the tables.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing convened with Daniel Williams leading 418. Leaders: Philip Denney 142, 168; Shane Brown 228.

Daniel Williams conducted the memorial lesson. He spoke about the special bonds between Sacred Harp singers and how much they mean to us. “Some people we knew better than we did others; perhaps another taught us to sing Sacred Harp. That’s why we enjoy it so much. Although we’re separated by distance in a sense today, one day we won’t be separated anymore.” The deceased remembered were Richard DeLong, Bill Beverly, Velton Chafin, Ottis Sides, Bill Windom, and Irene Kiker. The sick and shut-ins honored were Ozella Blackmon, Lucy Garner, Betty Shepherd, Coy Ivey, and Bob Cole. Daniel Williams led 58 for the deceased and the sick and shut-ins. Cecil Roberts offered prayer to close the memorial lesson.

Leaders: Donna Bell 340; Winfred Kerr 318; Isaac Green 483; Barbara Brooks 119; Amber Davis 33b; Glenda Collins 32b; Sarah George 67; Ann Simpson 275t; Bert Collins 278b; Samuel Williams 278t.

Announcements were made. Daniel Williams, Philip Denney, and Donna Bell led 111t as the closing song. Philip thanked everyone for coming to the singing, then offered the closing prayer. The class was dismissed.

Chairman—Daniel Williams; Vice Chairman—Philip Denney; Secretary—Donna Bell