Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 12

The twenty-fifth session of the Smith County Sacred Harp Convention was called to order by Myrl Jones leading 129.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairlady—Myrl Jones; Vice Chairman—Robert Vaughn; Secretary—Sharon Stephenson; Treasurer—Sue Utz.

Leaders: Robert Vaughn 138; Sharon Stephenson 45t; Sue Utz 174; Beverly Coats 45b, 202t; Neil Vaught 47b, 58; Marcelene Hardy 112, 172; Gaylon Powell 142, 300; Marion Grant 186, 40; John Morris 155, 543; Olivia Powell 468, 168; Kevin Powell 200, 331b; Margaret Raunsvall 171, 222.

RECESS

Robert Vaughn called the class to order leading 47t. Leaders: Lawson Smith 434, 388; Tina Walton 572, 573; Ray Quigley 59, 288; A.A. Smith, Jr. 67, 53; Azalee Barnett 384; Phyllis Costner 220, 217; Beverly Coats 99, 559; Neil Vaught 159, 274. Robert Vaughn offered prayer for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Robert Vaughn led 128 to bring the class to order. Leaders: Marcelene Hardy 189, 192; David Rousseau 127, 341; Gaylon Powell 522, 546; Marion Grant 507b, 282; Olivia Powell 232, 235; Kevin Powell 141t, 356; Margaret Raunsvall 137, 497; Ray Quigley 474, 293b; Tina Walton 401, 475.

A business meeting was called and committees were appointed: Nominating Committee—Gaylon Powell, John Morris, and Marcelene Hardy; Memorial Committee—Robert Vaughn and Kevin Powell.

Myrl Jones introduced a recommendation that the Smith County Sacred Harp Convention be changed to a one day “all day singing”, and the name be changed to “The Smith Memorial Sacred Harp Singing”. After discussion, a motion was made by Gaylon Powell and seconded by A.A. Smith, Jr. The recommendation was put to a vote and was passed. The time will remain on Saturday before the second Sunday in March; the place will be the New Harmony Community Center, New Harmony, Texas; the singing will begin at 9:30 a.m.

The nominating committee announced their recommendations for the new officers for the year 2006 as follows: Chairman—Robert Vaughn; Vice Chairlady—Sharon Stephenson; Secretary—Marcelene Hardy; Treasury—Sue Utz; Chaplain—Dallas Smith. A.A. Smith made the motion that the recommendations be accepted; Kevin Powell seconded the motion, and the vote was passed.

RECESS

Myrl Jones led 571 to bring the class to order. Leaders: A.A, Smith, Jr. 414, 383; Sue Utz 85, 335; John Morris 421, 383; Sharon Stephenson 500, 505; Phyllis Costner 143, 393t; Azalee Barnett 84, 563; Linda Baker 67, 478; Gaylon Powell 540, 196.

Myrl Jones led 27 as the closing song. The acting chaplain dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, March 13

Myrl Jones called the class to order leading 31t. Robert Vaughn offered the morning prayer. Leaders: Robert Vaughn 138b, 138t, 292; Marcelene Hardy 100, 192; Sharon Stephenson 45b, 274, 388; Sue Utz 282, 404, 406; Gaylon Powell 183, 203, 163; Linda Booker 503, 63.

RECESS

Robert Vaughn brought the class to order leading 460. Leaders: John Morris 36t, 561, 76b; Tina Walton 571, 505, 497; Burl Russell 75, 64, 164; Azalee Barnett 522, 572, 442; Kevin Powell and Garret Powell 77t, 74b, 280; Olivia Powell 543, 450, 128; Lawson Smith 142, 108b, 384.

Robert Vaughn and Kevin Powell conducted the memorial lesson. Robert Vaughn read scripture from John 11:25-27 then led 285 in memory of the following deceased: Ammon Reeves-, Billie Beard, Francis Daniels, Essie Arnold, and Jack Whitehead—Texas; John Hocutt—Alabama.

Kevin Powell read scripture from Isaiah 40:28-31 then led 563 for the following sick and shut-ins: Myra Palmer, Virginia Pittman, Kelly Beard, Earnestine Pipkin, Vema Powell, Ophelia Mathews, Ovilla Summers, Ruth Redmond, Dale Redmond, Jr., Joe Redmond, Thomas E. Smith, Bertha V. Upchurch, Dallas Smith, Dalton Clanton, Mary Clanton, Thomas Robinson (Cheryl’s father), Nannie Pearl Woods, Melba Owen, Morris Nowlin, Robbie Nowlin, and Betty R. Mallory. Gaylon Powell led 559 (requested by Myra Palmer), and the memorial was closed. Robert Vaughn asked the blessing on the noon meal.

LUNCH

Robert Vaughn brought the afternoon session to order leading 538. Leaders: Gayle Avant 107, 172, 488b; A.A. Smith, Jr. 403, 277, 87; Marcelene Hardy 112, 172, 300; Gaylon Powell 297, 488, 240; Linda Booker 478, 57, 87; Robert Vaughn 411, 511t; Olivia Powell 40, 290, 348t; Kevin Powell 298,140, 99; Azalee Barnett 434, 546; Burl Russell 418, 491; Marie Smith 45t; John Morris 159, 381; Sharon Stephenson 540, 299.

Myrl Jones led 62 as the closing song. Robert Vaughn offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairlady—Myrl Jones; Vice Chairman—Robert Vaughn; Secretary—Sharon Stephenson.