Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 25

The thirty-ninth session of the Georgia State Sacred Harp Singing Convention met at Old DeKalb Courthouse, Decatur, Georgia the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in March. The convention was called to order by Louis Hughes, Sr. leading song on page 59. The morning prayer was offered by Phil Summerlin. Louis Hughes, Sr. led song on page 39 (t? b?); Jeannette DePoy 31 (t? b?); Charlene Wallace 283 (for Carlene Griffin); and Elder Jesse Roberts 411. Committee members were called: Richard DeLong 57; Laura Akerman 518; Lee Rogers 475; Kelly Morris 49b; Janice Paulk 384; John Plunkett 303; Faye Pettis 455; Don Bowen 99; Doug Allison 179; Jimmie Denney 186; Kenneth DeLong 568; Daryl Chesney 327; Phillip Denney 120; Allison Dodson 335.

RECESS

The class was called together by Louis Hughes, Sr. leading song on page 82 (t? b?). Leaders: Henry Zittrouer 87; Frances Carnell and Sara Carnell 269; Clarke Lee 503; Ellie Soler 277; Lonnie Rogers 225 (t? b?); Phil Summerlin 270; Kate Hauk 178.

A motion was made and seconded to go into the business session. Officers elected or appointed to serve were: Chairman—Jeannette DePoy; Vice Chairman—Felton Denney; Secretary—Charlene Wallace; Chaplain—Elder Jesse Roberts; Arranging Committee—Richard DeLong, Eric Tweedy, and Scott DePoy; Memorial Committee—Kelly Morris and John Plunkett; Resolutions Committee—John Hollingsworth and Lee Rogers; Finance Committee—Helen Bryson and Don Bowen; Locating Committee—Faye Pettis, Jimmie Denney, and Louis Hughes, Sr.

RECESS

The class was called together with Helen Bryson leading song on page 101 (t? b?). Leaders: Everette Denney 405; Joan Durdin 29 (t? b?); Charles Woods 489; Jack Corley 300; Al Grindon 28b; Sandie Scott 40; Felton Denney 73 (t? b?); David Lee 299; Ricky Parnell 236; Fred Todt 142; Betty Wright 347; Eric Carnell 143; Marilyn Burchett 42; Martha Beverly 274 (t? b?); Margie Dietz 46.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Felton Denney leading song on page 523. Leaders: Cath Oss 318; Henry Johnson 70b; Bud Oliver 39 (t? b?); Reba Windom 192; Jermony York 34b; Kathy Williams 208; Joseph Pimentel 155; Laura Clawson 72b; Lena Keeton 546; Ted Mercer 328; Kelly Macklin and John Daniel delRe 196; John delRe 32 (t? b?); Karen Snowbird 532; Kathy Lee 171; Karen House 440; Leland delRe 504; Diane Menn 448 (t? b?); Sharon Kellam 312 (t? b?); Karen Willard 349; Louis Hughes, Jr. 348b; John Redman 496; Debra Jones 454; LeAnne Carnell 74 (t? b?).

RECESS

Jeannette DePoy and Elizabeth Roles called the class together with song on page 30b. Leaders: Karen Morris 430; Jack Smith 145 (t? b?); Phillip Langley 456; Sandra Wilkerson 282; Buell Cobb, Sara, and Lane 33b; Malinda Snow 551; Otis Hester 558; Mark Miller 201; Daphene Causey 442; Elene Stovall 528; Glenn Keeton 231; Bill Beverly 547; Judy Mincey 464; Mike Grimes 159; Steve Pace 63; Earlis McGraw 148.

Announcements were made. Jeannette DePoy led song on page 63 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer led by Elder Jesse Roberts.

Sunday, March 26

The convention was called to order by Jeannette DePoy leading song on page 34b. The morning prayer was led by Elder Jesse Roberts. Jeannette DePoy led song on page 421, and Felton Denney led song on page 503. Leaders: Louise Holland 273; Frank Adams 159; Andy Anderson 117; John Hollingsworth 460; Liz Bryant 377; Andy Morse 168; Tom McGraw 383; Frances Mary D’Andrea 380; Judy Mincey 410 (t? b?); Bonnie Flowers 172; Eric Tweedy 122; Laura Akerman 280; John Redman 362; Kelly Morris 47b; Carlene Griffin 77b.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Felton Denney leading song on page 155. Leaders: Louis Hughes, Sr. 569b; Kathy Lee, Rodney Willard, and Barbara Willard 128; Don Bowen 510; Karen Snowbird 198; Phillip Langley 200; Sandie Scott and Hugh McGraw 130; Earlis McGraw 163 (t? b?); Marilyn Burchett 81 (t? b?); Allison Dodson 138b; John Plunkett 571; Martha Beverly 216; Henry Johnson 285 (t? b?); Diane McNella 217.

RECESS

Jeannette DePoy called the class together with song on page 67. Leaders: Teenie Moody 430; Janet Sheppard 114; Mary F. Smith 434; Helen Bryson 340 (for Mr. and Mrs. Allen Coates); Polly Hester 137; Fred Todt 361; Raymond Hamrick 136; Bill Beverly 84; Karen Willard 330b; Mike Ryand 452; Glenn Keeton and Lena Keeton 475; Louis Hughes, Jr. 147 (t? b?); Billy Hollingsworth 31 (t? b?).

A Memorial Lesson was held. David Ivey led song on page 267 for the following deceased: Alice Williams, Elbert Smith, Elder Roy Avery, Lindberg Lacy, Glen Lacey, Erskin Norton, Vester Jones, and Flossie Jones—Alabama; Sadie Wilkson—Georgia; Richard Allison—Indiana; Mrs. T.H. Ross—Florida; Bill Moritz and Sam Croft—California; Gloria Berchielli—New Jersey. Richard DeLong led song on page 61 in memory of his grandmother, Mrs. Dollie Hudgins.

Raymond Hamrick led song on page 77 (t? b?) for the sick and shut-ins: I.V. McWhorter, Violet Thomason, Herman Thomason, Euna DeLong, Mary Lou Cagle, Mozelle Sheppard, Allene Stanford, Vivian Rogers, Woodie Walker, Sharona Nelson, Rosa Hughes, Charlotte Allison, Susan Garbor, Dot Garbor, Elizabeth Wilson, Bob Seorgie, Virginia Stralton; Harriet Kerr, Juenota Kerr, Virgil Phillips, and Ruby Phillips. The memorial was closed with prayer by Elder Jesse Roberts.

LUNCH

The afternoon session resumed with Jeannette DePoy leading song on page 192. Leaders: Elder Jesse Roberts 203; Laura Clawson 42; Ted Mercer 202; Karen House 385 (t? b?); Dennis George 448 (t? b?); Mark Miller 29 (t? b?); David Ivey 131b; Elene Stovall 99; Rueben Ball 497; Karen Ivey 76b; Cassie Franklin 436; Joseph Pimentel 133; Reba Windom 542; John delRe 74b; Kathy Williams 195; Leland delRe 291; Lena Keeton 480; Rodney Ivey and Bud Oliver 47 (t? b?); Kathy White 168; Sheri Taylor 110; Oscar McGuire 276; Eschol Hughes 235; David Lee 278b; Carri Grindon and Ellen Godberry 504; Scott DePoy and Lynn Rosser Allen 282.

RECESS

Felton Denney called the class together with song on page 147b. Leaders: Diane Walls 300; John Whittemore 254; Betty Wright 323b; Daphene Causey 451; Kathy Lee 146; Otis Hester and Polly Hester 490; Sharon Kellam 38b; John delRe and Kelly Macklin 272; Angelia Benton 186; Jack Smith 290; Faye Pettis 45 (t? b?); Alice West 120.

A motion was made and seconded to go into the business session.

The Financial report was given.

The Resolutions Committee gave the following report. Once again the Georgia State Sacred Harp Convention has made these marble halls ring with glorious sounds. Here, in this historic place, in the beautiful season, in this millennium year, we carry on a sacred tradition, joining together in song and fellowship to praise our Creator.

Whereas we are keenly aware of the rich blessings bestowed on us these two days, and whereas we recognize the importance of:

(1) The generosity of the DeKalb Historical Society in donating these beautiful facilities;

(2) The efforts of the officers, committees, and local supporters in organizing this convention and making it run smoothly;

(3) The loving hands that prepared delicious nourishment that sustained us;

(4) The decades of inspired effort by those who taught us to love these songs and who made this convention something we want to attend, the kind of occasion that draws so many of us together; and

(5) To the singers who have come from Georgia and across our country to raise their voices in song.

Now therefore, the thirty-ninth session of the Georgia State Sacred Harp Convention published the resolution of thanks to all these contributors, and to God Almighty for His many blessings.

We further resolve to keep in our thoughts those who could not be here but are with us in spirit, and those who have gone before us and given us the gift of the Sacred Harp tradition.

Finally, we resolve to carry forward this tradition to invite and encourage others to become a part of our Convention, and, by the grace of God, to meet again next year for the fortieth session of this Convention. Submitted by John Hollingsworth and Lee Rogers.

The Locating Committee reported that the next session of the Convention would be held in Carrollton, Georgia, Senior Citizen Center, Old Carrollton High School, South White Street. The business session was closed.

Leaders: Karen Ivey, Karen House, Elene Stovall, and Cassie Franklin 112; Joan Durdin 148.

Announcements were made. Jeannette DePoy, Felton Denney, Elder Jesse Roberts, Richard DeLong, and Charlene Wallace led song on page 62, “Parting Hand”, as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer by Louis Hughes, Sr.

Chairman—Jeannette DePoy; Vice Chairman—Felton Denney; Secretary—Charlene Wallace.