Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The thirty-first session of the Emma Keeton Beasley, John Belton Beasley, and Phillip Lee, III Memorial met at Concord Primitive Baptist Church on the third Sunday in August, and was called to order by Chairman Marlin Beasley leading songs on pages 32t and 33b. The morning prayer was led by Philip Gilmore.

The class organized for the day with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Marlin Beasley; Vice Chairman—Tim Gilmore; Arranging Committee—Gary Smith and Travis Keeton; Secretary—Cora Sweatt.

Leaders: Tim Gilmore 48t, 142; Cora Sweatt 47b, 46; John Beasley 30t, 39b; Gene Wakefield 112, 168; Dr. Julietta Haynes 209, 211; John Beasley 101t, 100; Buell Cobb 207, 565; Sarah Smith 129, 108t.

RECESS

Gary Smith brought the class to order leading songs on pages 317 and 34b. Leaders: John Merritt 300, 148; Beatrice Brewer 460, 298; Travis Keeton 299, 203; Becky Briggs 318, 319 (for Elsie Beasley); Larry Ballinger 321, 119; Josie Hyde 103, 88t; Ricky Beasley 348b, 30b; Frances Lee 59, 72b; Philip Gilmore 58, 159; Myrtle Ballard and Marlin Beasley 421 (in memory of Emma Beasley). Earl Ballinger led in prayer for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Marlin Beasley leading song on page 317. Leaders: Pernie Pelfrey 399b; Cecil Wakefield 282, 268; Velton Chafin 68b, 35; David Beasley 61, 73t; Brenda Pena 123t, 77b; Cecil Sanders 225t; Kelsey Wakefield 133, 111t; Earl Ballinger 76b, 187; Jayne Fulmer 186, 99; Gladys Bonds 74b, 77t; Margaret Keeton 327, 78; Kermit Adams 390, 391; Brenda Merritt 306b, 283; Marlin Beasley 340, 336; Brenda Pena 229; Marlin Beasley “Not Made With Hands” (in memory of Johnnie Sue Beasley).

Tim Gilmore and Marlin Beasley led song on page 62 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Philip Gilmore.

Chairman—Marlin Beasley; Vice Chairman—Tim Gilmore; Secretary—Cora Sweatt.

NOTE: The following minutes for the 1998 Beasley Memorial held on August 16, 1998 were submitted at the same time the 1999 minutes were sent in. The secretary, Cora Sweatt, asked that they be included in this publication.

The thirtieth annual singing held in memory of Emma Keeton Beasley, John Belton Beasley, and Phillip Lee, III was convened at Concord Primitive Baptist Church on August 18, 1998. This singing was started in her memory by her husband, children, and grandchildren, and so many singing friends who had sung with her all her life, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sim Keeton, and with her many siblings and relatives. In 1977, after the death of her husband, John Belton Beasley, his name was added to the Memorial. In 1982 their grandson, Phillip Lee, III, was added to the Memorial. Today we remember them but we also want to remember all of those singers and friends who helped us start their Memorial Singing, and thank those who continue to join us in song and help us keep it going.

The singing was called to order by Marlin Beasley leading song on page 32t and 33b. The morning prayer was offered by Glenn Keeton. The class then held the business session to elect officers: Chairman—Marlin Beasley; Vice Chairman—Elmer Conwill; Arranging Committee—Lena Keeton; Secretary—Myrtle Ann Ballard.

Leaders: Elmer Conwill 39b; Ashley Keeton 142, 215; Chris Bell 358, 384; Cecil Sanders 512; Clarissa Springfield 166, 343; Gladys Bonds 68b, 235; Tommy Beasley 348b, 301; Dr. Julietta Haynes 211; Richard Schmeidler 66, 474; Ivalene Donaldson 274 (t? b?), 288; Brenda Pena 156, 57; David Beasley 317, 335.

RECESS

Lena Keeton brought the class to order leading songs on pages 475 and 122. Leaders: Beatrice Brewer 123 (t? b?), 137; Amber Springfield 391, 204; Lisa Geist 272, 532; Joshua Keeton 408, 268; Billy Williams 309, 310; Mae Conwill 306; Christy Allen 270, 316; Gravis Ballinger 300; Josie Hyde 151, 220; Clarence McCool 569b, 73t. Prayer by Rickey Beasley.

LUNCH

John Hyde led songs on pages 129 and 313b to open the afternoon session. Leaders: Earl Ballinger 222; Pam Keeton 392; Pernie Pelfrey 371, 83 (t? b?); Tim Gilmore 455; Ila Ingle 441; Gene Wakefield 168; Jayne Fulmer 498; Sarah Smith 290; Buell Cobb 467b, 565; Amanda Denson 373, 340; Gary Smith 31 (t? b?), 34 (t? b?); Bradley Allen 546; John Hocutt 225 (t? b?); Ann Ballard 153; Faye Donaldson 299; A.A. Malone 203; Margaret Keeton 402; Becky Briggs 192 (for Elsie Beasley who was sick and unable to attend); Dorothea McCowan 120, 361; Cora Sweatt 127; Johnny Humber 382; Travis Keeton 53; Ricky Beasley 101t, 111b; David Beasley 159; Larry Ballinger 282; Glenn Keeton 284, 117; John Beasley 72b; Joyce Hubbard 163 (t? b?); Alvin Beasley 354 (t? b?); Seth Holloway and Tara Morton 294; the children of John Belton Beasley and Emma Beasley (David Beasley, Sarah Smith, John Beasley, Marlin Beasley, Cora Sweatt, Alvin Beasley, Ann Ballard, and Rebecca Briggs) 146 (in memory of their parents, and nephew, and in honor of their sister, Frances Lee and her husband, Phillip, who were unable to be here because he is seriously ill.)

Marlin Beasley and Elmer Conwill led song on page 48 (t? b?) as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Ricky Beasley.

Chairman—Marlin Beasley; Vice Chairman—Elmer Conwill; Arranging Committee—Lena Keeton; Secretary—Ann Ballard.