Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The ninety-second session of the annual Sacred Harp singing at Cross Roads Baptist Church was held on the first Sunday in July. Louis Hughes brought the class to order leading 32t. The opening prayer was offered by Cecil Roberts.

Leaders: Louis Hughes 138b (for his father, J.C. Hughes, and grand-father, George Lawson Hughes); Miranel Swafford 399 (t? b?) (for her father, Gilbert Pope); Mary L. Smith 37b, 171; Louis Hughes, Jr. 77b.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Louis Hughes; Vice Chairlady—Miranel Swafford; Secretaries—Belinda Stansbery and Donna Bell; Memorial Committee—Mary L. Smith; Arranging Committee—Louis Hughes, Jr. and Charlene Wallace.

Leaders: Donna Bell 335, 426t; Cecil Roberts 56t, 285t; Henry Guthery 111b, 276, 68b; Duncan MacLeod 131t, 168; Jeannette DePoy 475, 39t; Karen Willard 330b, 440; John Wall 358, 479; Kaley Morris 119, 282.

RECESS

Louis Hughes, Jr. called the class back to order leading 49b. Leaders: Earlis McGraw 312b, 385t; Tom Ivey 86, 290; Allison Dodson 40, 300; Sherrie Edwards 159; Lonnie Rogers 186, 345t (in memory of his father); Thomas Willard 36b; Bobby Jackson 546, 499; Greg Saue 143, 523.

Mary L. Smith conducted the memorial lesson. She spoke of Mrs. Evelyn Newman, who passed way recently, as being one of the backbones of this church and singing. Cecil Roberts led 499 and 30b for the deceased, including the following: Robert Garner, Kenneth Wheeler, Hannah Ingram, Leon Price, Henry George, Jap Walton, Lois DePoy and Tom DePoy, Essie Fielder Holcombe, and Preston McClendon.

Scott DePoy led 179 and 201 for the following sick and shut-ins: I.V. McWhorter, Gladys McGraw, Alice Edwards, Nancy Allen, Myrtle Smith, Lucy Garner, Lucy McWhorter, Richard DeLong, Sherrie Edwards, Margery Heel, Dale Harris, and Shelbie Sheppard. Mary Smith closed the memorial service with prayer.

Chairman Louis Hughes introduced Pastor Gerald Sloman, who welcomed everyone and thanked those attending for supporting this singing. He then dismissed the congregation for lunch.

LUNCH

Louis Hughes brought the class back to order leading 101t. Leaders: Jeff Sheppard 216, 189 (for Shelbie Sheppard); Jenny Willard 546, 565; Aaron Little 448t, 503; Janice Bridges 56b, 448b; Stanley Edwards 122, 129 (for his wife Sherri); Robert Chambliss 225t, 72b; Charlene Wallace 283, 299; Karen Clark 549, 569t; Keith Willard 319, 278b; Oscar McGuire 276, 344; James Newman and Elaine Newman 111t; Charlene Griffin 144, 117; John Plunkett 381, 207; Mildred Patterson 294 (for Katherine Benefield); Teenie Moody 384; Lucinda Saue 163b; James Hughes and Cecil Roberts 45t.

Announcements were made. Chairman Louis Hughes and Miranel Swafford thanked everyone for attending then led 347 as the closing song. James Newman offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Louis Hughes; Vice Chairlady—Miranel Swafford; Secretaries—Melinda Stansberry and Donna Bell.