The pastor, his wife and his daughter were late because the daughter’s dress was soiled and the wife was ironing another. The pastor had actually lit the furnace earlier in the evening and had returned home.

One choir member was working on an important letter while another choir member and her daughter were late because they had to tend to matters at her mother’s house before arriving.

Another man was late because he was taking care of his two sons and did not realize until the last minute that he was late.

Mitchell, the pianist for the choir, had planned to arrive 30 minutes early, but fell asleep after dinner, causing her and her mother to be late.

Two high school students, who usually rode together to choir practice, were late because one had to listen to the end of a radio program.

And finally, Joyce Black, according to “Unsolved Mysteries,” waited until the last possible minute before leaving because of the cold weather.

Black lived across the street from the church.