TOP PHOTO: The new house on the hill is the Smith family’s dream home.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – When Starla Smith was told by the staff at Habitat for Humanity there was a piece of land out in the country, she returned a lightning fast response. “I’ll take it,” she said. She was reminded that she’d never seen the land prompting Smith to say “it doesn’t matter.”

Starla Smith proudly stands on her front porch which provides a scenic view.

The piece of land was a steep hill covered with tall brush and weeds. That was a mere speed bump for Smith, her husband, Adam, and daughters, Billie and Starr.

The Smith’s dream home now sits atop that hill off Cowan Lane near Bethlehem Road in east Campbell County.

Once it cooled down, the purple roses came out of their pots Tuesday evening and were planted at the Smith home.

Like so many home dreamers, the Smiths thought they’d never be able to afford a new home. The key to unlocking their dream home was completing an application with Habitat. About three weeks later, the Smith’s dream began showing glimpses of reality. “Holly Claborn with Habitat called us and told us we qualified,” said Starla.

About 15 months later, the Smiths moved into their hilltop dream home. That was December 30.

One of Starla’s dreams was to have purple roses in her yard. She knew she could get the purple roses once they came in at Lowe’s. However, she also knew that they sold out fast, real fast. Starla, a homemaker, went to Lowe’s everyday until the roses arrived making sure she had some for her new dream home.

The dedication of the 37th Habitat Home in Campbell County is Friday at 5:30 pm at the Smith’s new home.

Habitat provides the money for new homes, and the new owners make monthly no interest payments for 20 years.  The mortgage payments are generally less than rent.

The first step toward a new Habitat for Humanity Home is completing an application. And process takes off from there. For more information, stop by the Re-Store on East Central Avenue in La Follette or call 423.566.7316. 

This Friday at 5:30 pm, their home will be officially dedicated.
The brush and high weeds are long gone as the Smith property is taking shape.
The work around the yard started at the mailbox at the foot of the hill.

Volunteers with different skill sets are always needed at Habitat for Humanity, everything from board members to people who staff the Habitat Restore to those wanting to help build the houses. Anyone wishing to learn more about volunteering can contact Zach Sheets at 423-566-4010 or via email at zach.sheets@edwardjones.com.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/28/2021-6AM)

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