Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, July 11

The Saturday session of the annual Cullman County Courthouse Singing Convention was called to order by Henry Guthery leading song on page 59. The morning prayer was led by Lamar Smith. Henry Guthery welcomed everyone to the convention and led song on page 88t. Billy Williams was appointed to call the leaders until the singing was organized.

Leaders: Cecil Gilliland 217, 171; Travis Keeton 48t, 73t; Hershell King 67, 348b; Norma Latham 126, 313t; David Roberson 220, 146; Lamar Smith 76b, 36b; Flarce Creel 270, 503; Cassie Franklin 84, 475; Eron White 384.

RECESS

Henry Guthery called the class to order leading song on page 111b. Leaders: Henry Johnson 565b, 388; Leola Smith 318, 172; Corene White 314; Betty Shaver 155, 454; Edith Tate 37b, 137; Martha Woodard 340; Elsie Moon 73b; Josh Keeton 189, 408; Paul Gilliland 569b, 268; Lena Keeton 43, 436; Kathleen Robbins 434, 142.

RECESS

Glenn Keeton called the class to order leading songs on pages 285t and 365. Bascum Mattox led songs on pages 217 and 430.

At this time a motion was made and duly seconded to go into a business session. It was moved and seconded to keep the same officers as the previous year: Chairman—Henry Guthery; Vice Chairman—Harrison Creel; Secretary—Eldagene Roberson; Arranging and Finance Committee—Billy Williams; Memorial Committee—Imogene Nelms and Eron White. The business session was closed and the class resumed singing.

Leaders: Henry Guthery 527; Delores Canada 34b, 35; Eldagene Roberson 358, 175; Cecil Sanders 480; Reedie Powell 280, 269. The blessing for the noon meal was offered by Harrison Creel.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Henry Guthery leading song on page 487. Leaders: Marie Guthrie “The Great Roll Call”, 222; Linton Ballinger 212, 208; John Hocutt 354 (t? b?), 272; Cindy Franklin 123t, 213t, 213b; Sherry Guthery 349, 64; Margie Burleson and Ruth Burleson 73b, 145 (t? b?), 143; Ira Chandler 371, 144; Imogene Nelms 110, 300; Buell Cobb 284; Iva Cleghorn and Reedie Powell 294, 198; Eldagene Roberson 306; Cassie Franklin 64.

Henry Guthery thanked the class for attending and invited everyone back for the Sunday session. Announcements were made. Henry Guthery led song on page 521 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Mr. Parker.

Sunday, July 12

The Sunday session of the convention was opened by Henry Guthery who welcomed everyone and led song on page 31b. The morning prayer was led by Harrison Creel. Henry Guthery led song on page 460. Leaders: Martha Woodard 274t, 274b; Lora Cargo 84, 498; Velton Chafin 225t, 494; Gordon Wilkinson 112, 208; Betty Shaver 378t, 335; Bud Oliver 39b, 145b; Ila Ingle 32t, 146; David Roberson 36b, 222.

RECESS

Henry Guthery called the class to order leading song on page 153. Leaders: J.C. Rutledge 569b, 544b; Edis Guthrie 186, 171; Otis Harden 270, 406; Amanda Denson 404, 360; Corene White 126, 216, 275t; Artis Wall 275b, 40; Otis Pelfrey 189, 298; Eldagene Roberson 332, 300; Lamar Smith 343b; Charles Parker 159, 77t; Flarce Creel 475, 546.

At this time the floor was opened to the Memorial Committee. Since the convention was held last year, we have lost many of our Sacred Harp singers. As we enter into this memorial, think of them singing around the great throne of God, and for that time we will be able to sing with them again. There is a song in the Cooper Revision of the Sacred Harp which is entitled “We Will Sing With The Angels There.” This song has words that say, “We will sing with the angels there in that happy home so fair, in Heaven above where all is love, We will sing with the angels there.” The deceased remembered were: Keterina Sanders, Hadyn Creel, Mamie Creel, Unie B. Howard, Bob Fannin, Vernice Calvert, Mae Seymour, Vera Harbison, Willie Blackwood, Edward Godsey, and Jerry Sheppard.

The names of the sick and shut-ins are: Essie Calvert, Lucius Oden, Mary Oden, Ruby Phillips, Virgil Phillips, Alpha Black, Alvie Washburn, Thurman Nall, Thurman Tillman, Ruth Tillman, and Tressie Atkins.

Leaders for the memorial lesson were: Buell Cobb 138b; Velton Chafin 333; Eron White and Imogene Nelms 454. The memorial lesson was closed. Respectfully submitted: Eron White and Imogene Nelms.

Leaders: Bud Oliver 145t; Pernie Pelfrey 371; Willodean Barton 416, 391; Reedie Powell 200, 349; Sherry Guthery 58, 359.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Henry Guthery leading song on page 558. Leaders: Eron White 155, 380; Buell Cobb 69t, 467b; Edith Tate 119, 157; Imogene Nelms 441, 183; Marie Guthrie 192, 434; Gregg Holmes 438; Billy Cobb 147t, 231; Roscoe Knight 127, 47b; Bud Oliver 201b, 29t; J.C. Raferty “That Beautiful Land”; Flarce Creel 503; Henry Guthery 490.

Announcements were made. Henry Guthery thanked everyone for their participation in this year’s convention, and invited everyone back next year. Henry Guthery led song on page 521 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Harrison Creel.

Chairman—Henry Guthery; Vice Chairman—Harrison Creel; Secretary—Eldagene Roberson.