TOP PHOTO: Zach Sheets, president of Habitat for Humanity, welcomes the crowd to the dedication of the latest Habitat Home.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Late Friday afternoon under bright sunshine as breezes blew, the Smith family’s new home was officially dedicated as the 37th home built by Habitat for Humanity.

Starla Smith’s dream of purple roses at her very own home has come true.
With the purple roses in place, it was time for the ribbon cutting as the new Smith home was dedicated on Friday. Sitting is Billie with Starr on the left with Adam and Starla Smith.

Friday, April 30, marked four months to the day the Smith family moved into its new home. “The weather was just a little too cold for us to hold the dedication back on December 30 is why we waited until the spring,” said Zach Sheets, president of Habitat for Humanity.

Andrea Bowman created the beautiful sign.

Local officials offered kind remarks about the local Habitat program and wished the Smith family well in their new digs on Cowan Lane just off Bethlehem Road. Campbell County Mayor E.L. Morton and Commissioner Robert Higinbotham represented the county while La Follette Mayor Mike Stanfield shared thoughts.

Reverend Roger Stanley blessed the home with opening and closing prayers. In keeping with tradition, Linda Heatherly presented the Smiths with a Bible.

Left to right – Holly Claborn, Lee Heatherly, Debbie Petree, Roger Taylor, Linda Heatherly and Roger Stanley.

Debbie Petree, President of TCAT, announced a special partnership between TCAT and Habitat for Humanity that begins with the next home, number 38, and beyond. “This is a pilot program, and we’re paving the way for the TCATs across the state. We’re excited to venture into this new program,” said Petree.

Here is the program from Friday’s ceremony.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/03/2021-6AM)

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