Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The Velton Chafin Memorial Singing was held on Saturday before the first Sunday in November. The class was called to order by Danny Creel leading 32t. He then offered the opening prayer. The class was organized by electing or appointing the following officers to serve: Chairman—Brenda Chafin; Vice Chairman—Ken Tate; Secretary—Linda Booth.

Leaders: Danny Creel 30t; Earl Ballinger 104, 124, 112; Brenda Chafin 274t, 129, 270; Linda Booth 275t, 350, 222; Lisa Geist 120, 171, 527; Tom Booth 565, 475, 474; Larry Ballinger 56t, 57, 157; Ann Jett 42, 47b, 410t; Bea Aaron 80b, 145t, 568.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Danny Creel leading 133 (CB). Danny Creel then announced the presentation of a 2020 Sacred Harp Publishing Company Citation Award posthumously to Velton Chafin. This award is given “for untiring support of and dedicated service to the cause of Sacred Harp Singing.” Danny Creel spoke about Mr. Chafin’s indefatigable work to promote Sacred Harp singing. He then gave an overview of the six criteria for the award (which can be viewed in full at https://originalsacredharp.com/2013/12/31 (t? b?/remembering-those-whove-gone-before-sacred-harp-publishing-company-2013-citation-awards)).

Sacred Harp Publishing Company board members Danny Creel and Lisa Geist then presented the Citation Award to Brenda Chafin, Velton Chafin’s daughter, who stated that she hoped that she could be as faithful to Sacred Harp and to the church as her father was. The floor was opened up to remarks, and many singers reminisced about their experiences singing with Mr. Chafin. Among these were Henry Guthery, who said that at one point, he had not been able to attend singings for some time due to his work schedule. One day at work, he saw Mr. Chafin and John Hocutt arriving. They had driven fifty miles to ask if everything was all right; and if there was something wrong, they offered to help fix it. Betty Baccus said that a near relative had asked to have Sacred Harp singing at her funeral when she passed away. A group of singers assembled to sing, but none of them could key songs; then along came Mr. Chafin and the singing went on as planned. Danny Creel said that the vote to award this citation had been unanimous. He said that Mr. Chafin was known for his dry sense of humor. Mr. Chafin said that he never saw a song that he didn’t think was good. He would say that the singing had been good, then say, “of course, I’ve never gone to a bad one!”

Leaders: Hubert Nall 507b (CB), 264b (CB), 313 (CB), 84 (CB); Betty Baccus 436 (for Ozella Blackmon), 192, 172; James (Butch) White 168, 547, 74b; Louise Yeager 72b, 480, 569b. Butch White asked the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Danny Creel leading 38t (CB). Leaders: Jim Aaron 68b, 29t, 448t; Margaret Keeton 464 (CB) (by request), 276, 460; Henry Guthery 497 (CB), 522 (CB), 450; Cassie Allen 514 (CB), 355 (CB), 86 (CB) (for John Etheridge and Velton Chafin); Ken Tate 511b (CB), 242 (CB), 225t (CB) (for the Jones family of Opp); Wanda Capps 505 (CB), 54t (CB). The class sang 559 (CB) as the closing song. Danny Creel offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Brenda Chafin; Vice Chairman—Ken Tate; Secretary—Linda Booth