May 25, starting at 10 a.m., the second William Golden Memorial Singing was held in Eupora.
But, this time this event was held in the Eupora Community Center on Dunn Street, which was nice and a good place to host the event.
This event, to honor a man who lived near this city and who is buried in nearby Spring Valley Cemetery in Mathiston, brought in people from many places in Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and other states, as well as some of the crew of WCBI TV in Columbus.
Not only that, but this year two living relatives of Golden made the trip from out of state for the singing — cousins Roy Hood from Georgia and Patricia McGahey Floyd from Florida. Their respective parents were first cousins of Golden.
Hood and Floyd, who have relatives buried in Bluff Springs Cemetery northwest of Eupora, were welcomed to the event as cousins of Golden. This was a first since the memorial singing began last year, when it was held at Victory Baptist Church in Mathiston.
Crandall Woodson from Georgia, also a native of nearby Sturgis, introduced the Rev. Doran Henry to open the event with prayer. Henry is the new pastor of Sturgis First Baptist and has family in the area.
The program opened with two of Golden’s songs, “A Beautiful Life” and “Those Lonely Tombs,” which have been recorded by many groups.
After a delicious potluck lunch, even with homemade ice cream and many desserts, the singing started back.
Most of the singing was done in four-part harmony, but some songs were sung in the old shape note style. There was no shortage of pianists or organists for this day, as we had many local ones as well as some from out of state.
As far as talent and experience was concerned, we had at least two people who had been president of the National Singing Conventions as recent as two years ago.
The organizers of this event appreciated the opportunity of being able to use the Community Center in Eupora. But this exposure to the city and the area did not end here.
Marty Phillips, along with his wife, Ann, and son, Madison, from Crossett, Ark., began a singing school at Eupora First Baptist Church on Monday. Classes are being held daily through Friday, mornings from 9-11:30 and evenings from 6-8:30. A concert will be held Friday night featuring those who attended the school, along with others.
Then, on Saturday, the Webster County Singing Convention is going to be held, back at the Eupora Community Center.
It appears the city of Eupora, Webster County and this area, the home of many gospel singers and Christian athletes, will be putting Eupora, Webster County and the area in the spotlight.
What better way?
