Here’s a good tribute article from Colleen Dudley, Executive Director,Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee:

Ermon Wayne Capps Lature
July 4, 1932 – December 25, 2011
Memorial Service 5:00 pm – Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Visitation will be 2:00-5:00 pm
Williamson Memorial Funeral Home
3009 Columbia Avenue
Franklin, TN 37064

Ermon Lature came into this world on the 4th of July, so it almost seems fitting that he go home on a special day. Ermon left this earth Christmas day. One would never expect this entrance and exit from such a humble, natural humanitarian. Ermon Lature was a man I had the pleasure of knowing for over 17 years. He’s a man I admire and respect.

In the early 90’s, while employed by BellSouth, Ermon began his work with Habitat for Humanity on the board of the Nashville affiliate. He quickly became their board president and spearheaded the search committee to hire their first full-time executive director. They hired Jim Crowley (who happens to be my amazing father). A long time friendship was born. I remember Dad taking me and my two children up to the very top of the BellSouth building in Nashville (nicknamed the Bat Tower) as they were finishing construction. Dad had connections…he knew the big guy…Ermon Lature. My kids were thrilled.

Several years later, Ermon retired from BellSouth after 38 years of service, he joined the Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County as their first full-time executive director. Ermon and Jim often made jokes with each other about how many times they have “retired” and keep coming back. Ermon retired from Williamson Habitat, and then shortly joined the Maury County Habitat. During all this he has been a solid source of support to our state organization, Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee.

Ermon was devoted to and believed in the Habitat for Humanity mission; providing families with the education and no interest financing to own their own homes. Everyone needs a decent place to live.

Ermon recently told me of his Reba McIntyre fame, which I was unaware of. In her book, Reba: My Story there is a picture of Ermon, but in the subtitle it lists “Jim Crowley, Nashville Area Habitat executive director”. Not sure how that happened, but they both got a huge kick out of it. Dad always joked with Ermon that he was afraid people would think he really looked like that. They always had fun together and always had the utmost respect for each other. Dad told me if you look in the dictionary under “Christian man” you’ll find Ermon Lature.

I’ll always remember when I ask Ermon how he is; he would reply “Oh, fair to midland for an old guy”. He loved traveling to Murfreesboro, always eager to help Habitat with anything we needed and he claimed it also gave him a good excuse to go by and visit his grandson. Oh how he loved his family.

Ermon would just light up when I’d ask him how his wife Shirley was doing. He was so proud of her and her strength.  Ermon was an avid Kentucky Wildcats fan and would travel with his sons to the annual SEC basketball tournament no matter where it was.

Ermon was devoted to the Lord and served as a Deacon with Brentwood Baptist Church. He is a man I am proud to call my friend and I love him dearly. Many of us have been blessed by this truly amazing man.

God bless you dear friend, you will be missed!! Colleen

Colleen Dudley, Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee

P.O. Box 10375, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
www.HabitatTN.org