Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 124th session of the Cleburne County Convention was held at Edwardsville Baptist Church in Edwardsville, Cleburne County, Alabama, on the third Sunday in August. Cecil Roberts called the class to order leading 70t from a 1936 edition of The Sacred Harp donated to the convention in 1962 by Midge and Al Kuester in memory of J.W. (Uncle Will) Laminack. The book was given with explicit instructions that the only time it can be used is for the introductory lesson of the Cleburne County Convention. The morning prayer was offered by Henry Johnson. Cecil Roberts led 32t, and then cited a brief history of the Cleburne County Convention, stating that it originated at St. Michael Lutheran Church on September 28, 1889.

Leaders: Rene Greene 101t, 203; Judy Chambless 82t, 146; Henry Johnson 52b, 289; Margie Smith 225t, 317; Rebecca Over 471, 283; Robert Chambless 354t, 37b; Hayden Arp 59, 61; Judy Caudle 371, 405; Evelyn Harris 47t, 155 (for Carlene Griffin); Fallon Cook 47b, 63.

RECESS

Rene Greene called the class back to order leading 87. Leaders: Karen Rollins 68b, 138t; Virginia Dyer and Cain Cook 31b, 40; Charlene Wallace 79, 345t; Reba Windom 145t (in memory of Bud Oliver), 176b (in memory of Jeff Sheppard and Lonnie Rogers); B.M. Smith 99, 340; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 45t, 335; Ann Simpson 145b, 399b; Cecil Roberts 312b (in honor of Lois Bowman and Jeanette Laminack), 229; Philip Denney and Wyatt Denney 143, 84; Rene Greene 441; Judy Chambless 319; Henry Johnson 111t; Margie Smith 512; Rebecca Over 318; Robert Chambless 480; Hayden Arp 204; Judy Caudle 56t. Cecil Roberts thanked the class for $151.00 and asked that the amount be noted in the minutes. Billy Owens offered the blessing of the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session of singing began with Cecil Roberts leading 76b. Leaders: Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 100; Fallon Cook 172.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Karen Rollins. She stated that in the happiest and saddest times of our lives we are usually with people because we want to share. A singing is a place of sharing with family and friends. Karen also shared a poem about family. She read the names of the following sick and shut-ins: Shelbie Sheppard, S.T. Reed, George Garner, Lucy Garner, Jack Nelson, Ozella Blackmon, Josie Hyde, Carlene Griffin, Ruth Daniel, Lou Cotney, Lois Bowman, C.T. Williams, Teenie Moody, and Josephine Denney. Karen read the following names of the deceased remembered: Jeff Sheppard, Bud Oliver, Lessie Reed, Gertrude DeLong, Violet Thomason, and Willard Wright. Karen stated that we owe much of our singing ability to Jeff Sheppard. We have a past and a future with sacred harp singing because of his vision with Camp FaSoLa. She led 330b. The memorial lesson was closed with prayer.

Leaders: Charlene Wallace 75; B.M. Smith 28b; Reba Windom 213t; Ann Simpson 388; Philip Denney and Wyatt Denney 535, 442.

A business session was held to elect officers for the coming year. The following officers were retained: Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Rene Greene; Secretary—Donna Bell. The class voted to have next year’s Cleburne County Convention at Edwardsville Baptist Church, Edwardsville, Alabama, on the third Sunday in August.

Announcements were made. Cecil Roberts and Rene Greene led 62 as the closing song. Judy Chambless offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Vice Chairman—Rene Greene; Secretary—Donna Bell