Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, July 12

The 131st session of the Cullman County Sacred Harp Convention was held at the Cullman County Courthouse on the second Sunday and Saturday before in July. The class was called to order by Tom Booth leading 34b. Danny Creel offered the morning prayer.

A business session was held and the class voted that officers from the previous year be retained as follows: Chairman—Tom Booth; Vice Chairman—Butch White; Arranging Officer—Carolyn Thompson; Finance Officer—Christopher Mann; Secretary—Theresa Westmoreland.

Leaders: Tom Booth 77b; Butch White 77t, 278t; Christopher Mann 467, 425; Theresa Westmoreland 302, 196; Carolyn Thompson 268 (by request), [53-1991-1991]; Jeff James 480, 277; Glenn Keeton 349; Cindy Mann 159; Mike Hankin 59; Hazel Heinze 551; Dylan Feezell 280; Bea Aaron 456; Judy Caudle 530; Nicholas Thompson 217; Amber Mann 145b; Philip Gilmore 146.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Christopher Mann leading 114. Leaders: Danny Creel 405; Roma Rice 321; Ann Jett 496; Charles McCravy 87; Laurie Keeton 145t; Daniel Bearden 468; Beth Branscome 474; Leanne Carter 535; Gail Doss 35; Anita Landis 137; David Ivey 279; Marlin Beasley 460; David Carlton 492; Bridge Hill Kennedy 489; Blake Sisemore 436; Nancy Phillips 276; Mary Huffman, Stephanie Granger, Chloe Davis, and Allie Davis 63; Douglas Cantrell 490; Zena Tucker 47t; Brenda Chafin 319; Gail Doss 542. Charles McCravy blessed the lunch meal, and the class was dismissed.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Butch White, Joyce White, and Julie McCain leading 86. Leaders: Glenn Keeton 507; Cindy Mann 274t; Mike Hankins 477; Hazel Heinze 68b; Bea Aaron 475; Nicholas Thompson 166 (in memory of Julie Poston); Amber Mann 40; Philip Gilmore 278b; Danny Creel 111b; Roma Rice 549; Ann Jett 498; Charles McCravy 179; Laurie Keeton 358; Daniel Bearden 556; Beth Branscome 440; Gail Doss 501; Anita Landis 106; David Ivey 331; Marlin Beasley 204; David Carlton 198; Bridge Hill Kennedy 70b; Nancy Phillips 282; Douglas Cantrell 235; Zena Tucker 108t; Brenda Chafin 399b; Nicole Scott 172, 122; Linda Booth 454, 455; Christopher Mann 388 (for Nancy Phillips); Nicole Scott, Amanda Albrecht, Peter Albrecht, and Mikayla Prevost 457; David Carlton 332; Nicholas Thompson and Carol Barfoot Payne 159. Announcements were made.

Tom Booth led 323t as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Philip Gilmore.

Sunday, July 13

Tom Booth welcomed the class to the Sunday session of the Cullman County Sacred Harp Convention and called the class to order leading 37b. The morning prayer was offered by David Jackson.

Leaders: Butch White 565; Christopher Mann 323b; Theresa Westmoreland 538; Carolyn Thompson 448t; Hazel Heinze 438; Robert Chambless 270 (for Cecil Roberts and Larry Ballinger); Laurie Keeton 358; Carl Walls 100 (in memory of Comer Walls and Jerusha McWhorter Walls); Gail Doss 556; Amber Mann 452; Glenn Keeton and Bella Keeton 108t, 30t; Darlene Reynolds 282; Judy Chambless 29t; David Jackson 235; Judy Caudle 564; Cindy Mann 77t; Chris Ballinger 512; Loretta Reid 569b; Charles McCravy 428.

RECESS

Butch White called the class to order leading 162. Leaders: Lisa Geist 273; Louise Yeager 480; Everett Ivey 215; Audrey Brown 47b; Nancy Phillips 112; Delone Cobbs 354t; Roma Rice 489; Nicholas Thompson 434; Joyce Morton 36b; Loretta Reid 105; Bridge Hill Kennedy 31t; Sonya Sipe 535; Richard Ivey 103; Brenda Chafin 336; Bea Aaron 568; Kathy Williams 448b; Chris Parris 354b; Christy Brock, Brian Best, Lori Grimes 145t, 87 (for Amber Best); Samuel Williams 446.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Judy Caudle and Nicholas Thompson. The following list of names of the sick and shut-ins was read aloud: Edna Smith, Darrell Parker, Ernestine Parker, Joyce Walton, Nate Green, Tina Beasley, Sarah Beasley, Margaret Keeton, Wanda Capps, Betty Shepherd, Ed Thacker, Margaret Thacker, Larry Ballinger, Mike Hinton, Pat Skinner, Cecil Roberts, Jack Nelson, Don Bowen, Paula Springfield, and Beth Wallace. Judy and Nicholas led [340-1991-1991].

The following list of names of the deceased was read aloud: Buell Cobb, Pauline Oliver, Henry Guthery, Theresa Bethune, Chris Shepherd, Julia Poston, William Futral, Virginia Futral, Malik Williams, and Lucy Heidorn. Judy and Nicholas led [544-1991-1991]. The Sacred Harp Publishing Company, represented by Lisa Geist, recognized Henry Guthrey posthumously for Henry’s contribution of unwavering support to the promotion of Sacred Harp by awarding a plaque to Henry’s sister Bea Aaron, and niece Carolyn Thompson. Bea Aaron and Nicholas Thompson led 431 in memory of Henry Guthery. The memorial lesson and plaque presentation ceremony was closed. Nicholas Thompson offered the lunch blessing, and class was dismissed.

LUNCH

Tom Booth called the class back together by leading 34t. Leaders: Anita Landess 170; Amber Davis 391; Anna Grace Sipe 457; Marlin Beasley 318; Craig Holmes 34b; Linda Booth 198; Everett Ivey 421; Samuel Williams 160t; Chris Ballinger 76b; Lisa Geist 269; Christy Brock 277, with Cade Jerboas, Jacob Sims, Maribelle Brock, Jonna Bradley 159; Charles McCravy 176b; Gail Doss 400; Darlene Reynolds 454; Kathy Williams 208; Chris Parris 430; Joyce Morton 270; Marlin Beasley 73t, 61; Carolyn Thompson 236, 283; Brenda Chafin 74b; Butch White, Jessyca Depson 547.

Tom Booth led 143 and 499. The closing prayer was offered by Glenn Keeton, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Tom Booth; Vice Chairman—Butch White; Secretary—Theresa Westmoreland