Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The fifteenth session of the Independence Day Sacred Harp Singing met at Muscadine Methodist Church on Friday, July 3rd. The class was called to order by Jeff Sheppard leading songs on pages 87 and 59. The morning prayer was led by Felton Denney.

B. M. Smith led songs on pages 448b; Shelbie Sheppard 448t (in memory of her parents, Walker and Lessie Cates, and for Jerry Sheppard and Alvin Stanson); Mary Florence Smith 212; Margie Smith and Nancy Allen 108t.

A business session was held, and the class voted to retain the same officers: Chairman—Jeff Sheppard; Vice Chairman—B. M. Smith; Secretary—Mary Florence Smith; Arranging Committee—Margie Smith.

Leaders: David Lee 48t; Becky Browne 36b; Louis Hughes and Allison Dodson 480; Jenny Willard 303; Mary Elizabeth Lee 358; Dave Ressler 203; Lorena Moore 39t; George Garner 434; Kathy Lee 171; Jeanette Lowry 276; Melanie Hauff 278b; Felton Denney 31t; Katharine Manning 51; Keith Willard 32t.

RECESS

Jeff Sheppard brought the class together leading song on page 176t. Leaders: Clarke Lee 28b; Pauline Childers 234; Ted Johnson 479; Reba Dell Windom 269 (in memory of her sister, Willa Mae Holt); Karen Rollins 34b; Terry Hogg 49t; Cassie Franklin 485; Paul Gauthier 213t; Barbara Swetman 318; Freeman Wootten 49b; Julie Lee 129; Henry Schuman 462; Louise Nelson 350; Henry Johnson 288.

RECESS

The singing began with B.M. Smith leading song on page 81t. Leaders: Karen Hojnacki 29t; Johnny Lee 31b; Marcia Johnson 542; Lonnie Rogers 225t; Cindy Franklin 362b; Charlie Derleth 66; Edith Tate 37b; Kenneth DeLong 572; Judy Hauff 110; Jesse Roberts 446.

LUNCH

The afternoon session resumed with Jeff Sheppard leading song on page 384. Leaders: Lee Rogers 475; Lewis Norton 39b; Jewel Wootten 224; Bobby Jackson 388; Mattie Townsel 176b.

In keeping with the observence of the July 4th holiday which will follow the day after this singing, a short talk was given by Lonnie Rogers. He spoke of the importance of this day and how thankful we all should be for all our blessings, and for being able to sing together on this day. After the conclusion of his talk, Lonnie Rogers and Jeff Sheppard led song on page 137, especially for Virgil Phillips.

Leaders: Charlene Wallace 218; Jimmie Denney 101t; Martha Beverly 179; Bud Oliver 270; Liz Bryant 377; Milton Oliver 222; Judy Mincey 540; Bill Beverly 86; Nancy Crawford 408; Don Bowen 99; Rene Greene 313t; John Redmon 299.

RECESS

Jeff Sheppard brought the class together leading song on page 319. Leaders: Sheri Taylor 528; Pam Nunn 216; Estelle Flowers 208; Martha Ann Stegar 198; Laura Akerman 192; Bonnie Flowers 56b; Roy Nelson 145b; Evelyn Harris 30t; Mary Elizabeth Lee 361; B.M. Smith 499b (in memory of Walker and Lessie Cates); Thomas Willard and Allison Dodson 145b.

Announcements were made. Jeff Sheppard and B. M. Smith led song on page 46 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Donald Payne, pastor of the church.

Chairman—Jeff Sheppard; Vice Chairman—B. M. Smith; Secretary—Mary Florence Smith.