Barry Lanier Haston

Mr. Barry Lanier Haston, former Elbert County Sheriff, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at his Elberton residence, at the age of 66.

Born in Elberton on October 27, 1957, Barry was the third of four children born to Odell and Norma Gaines Haston. He was a 1976 graduate of Elbert County High School and attended the First Methodist Church of Elberton in his youth. Following graduation, Barry went to work with Elbert County Emergency Medical Services as one of the county’s first emergency medical technicians, and the Elberton Police Department, thus beginning a long-term career in the public safety sector. 

After serving seven years in the United States Coast Guard aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northwind, Barry returned to Elberton and continued his career in public safety. He worked in Clarke, Hart, and Elbert Counties before being elected as Sheriff of Elbert County where he proudly and faithfully served his community for three consecutive terms from 2001-2012. During his time in office, he demanded nothing short of professional and exceptional performance from his staff and was right beside them along the way. Sheriff Haston founded the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Special Response Team. He always kept the community’s youth at heart which led him to keep a School Resource Officer in all schools and found the Junior Deputy Program, a summer program for elementary aged children. Sheriff Haston worked closely with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and as a result, his agency received numerous state and national awards for their commitment to safety. He was also heavily involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 

Following his career in public safety, Barry retired from Athens Technical College where he worked in the maintenance department. He was a member of the Georgia Sheriffs Association. A simple, quite man who mostly stayed to himself, Barry was never one to stay idle. He knew a little bit about everything and could fix almost anything that needed fixing. Barry loved being outdoors and never missed an opportunity to go fishing.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Haston; and niece, Jessica Hall. Surviving are his siblings and their spouses: Donnie and Harriet Haston and Teresa and James Hall; sister-in-law, Pat Haston; nieces and nephew and their spouses: Christy and Josh Jones, Cindy and Paul Paramore, Brittany Andrews, Kayleigh McGee, Christopher and Jade Haston, and Christy and Bobby Videon; and great nieces and nephews: Carli Andrews, Grady Jones, Haley Jones, Olivia Paramore, Mary-Catherine Haston, and Hudson Videon. 

Friends may pay their respects and sign the guestbook at Berry Funeral Home on Friday, September 20, from 9:00a.m.-4:30p.m. and on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00a.m.-12:00noon.

Funeral services celebrating Barry's life will be conducted on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 3:00p.m. at First Methodist Church of Elberton with the Rev. Jamie Callaway officiating. He will be placed in the church at 2:00p.m. 

Graveside services will follow in Elberton's Historic Elmhurst Cemetery with Rev. Paul Paramore officiating. Shayne Bennett, David Cleveland, Carey Fewox, Marc Fleming, Bobby Howell, and Blake Young will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be John Colvard and Fred McWhorter. 

The family is at their respective homes and will greet friends immediately following the service at the cemetery. 

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in his memory to Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Home, 1000 Sheriffs Way, Madison, GA 30650.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com. 

Berry Funeral Home of Elberton, GA is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. Barry Lanier Haston.