Our Staff

Ricky Barrett

Owner/ Funeral Director/ Embalmer

Ricky Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Funeral Home and has been a Georgia Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1976.

He is married to the former Kimberley Abernathy and they have 4 children, Chris, Josh, Ben, and Emily and four grandchildren, Jack, Will, Kinsley and Karis.

Ricky is very active in many different organizations including the Independent Funeral Director's of Georgia, serving on the Board of Directors at Truett-McConnell College, the Board at United Community Bank, member of the Cleveland Kiwanis Club, and is a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland.

Ricky has been serving White County and the surrounding areas for the past 45 years. He enjoys going to see the Georgia Bulldogs play football/basketball and is also an avid Atlanta Braves Fan.

Brandon Hester

Manager & Funeral Director/ Embalmer

Brandon Hester is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services in 2010 and has been employed by Barrett Funeral Home since 2007. Brandon is a life long native of White County and resides in Cleveland with his wife Kimberly and daughter Zoe. He is a Baptist Minister.

Brian Alexander

Funeral Director/ Embalmer

Brian joined the staff of Barrett Funeral Home in 2017. He is a lifelong resident of White County and has been in Funeral Service since he was a young man.

After owning and managing a local funeral home for a number of years, Brian felt the call to return to the "hometown and local" feel that first inspired him to enter the funeral industry. He is proud to have served the families of the community for several years and looks to continue that service with Ricky and his staff for years to come.

Brian his wife, the former Connie Spencer, live in Cleveland. In addition to his role at the funeral home, Brian serves as Pastor of Cleveland First Methodist Church

Brian and Connie have one son Kurt, and his wife Shaina of Gainesville as well as two granddaughters Chole and Ava

Patrick Ward

Funeral Director/ Embalmer

Patrick is proud to continue his families legacy as the fourth generation funeral director caring for the people of White and the surrounding counties as his dad Jerry and grandfather Buck did before him.

He is a member of Yonah Lodge #382 and is past president of the Alpine Shrine Club, Patrick and his family attend Chattahoochee Baptist Chruch.

Patrick is married to Heather and they have three children Clayton Stephens, Harper Ward, and Bryce Ward.

Jim Ethridge

Pre-Need Counselor

Jim Ethridge serves Barrett Funeral Home as our insurance agent and pre-need counselor.

He has been employed by Barrett Funeral Home since 1998.

Before his employment at Barrett Funeral Home, Jim had a career with the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Jim lives in Cleveland with his wife, Renata, and their children, Jake and Katie. He is a member of the White County Optimist Club and Mt. Yonah Baptist Church.

Josh Barrett

Funeral Assistant

Josh Barrett, son of Ricky Barrett, is a 2001 graduate of White County High School, and 2004 graduate from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a lifelong resident of White County. Josh is married to Julie they have four children, Jack, Will, Kinsley and Karis.

He was a past-president of the White County Kiwanis Club and is a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church.

Josh loves coaching baseball and basketball, is an avid Georgia Bulldog fan and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Chris Barrett

Community Relations/ Funeral Apprentice

Chris Barrett, son of Ricky Barrett, has worked at the Barrett Funeral Home since a teenager, but joined full time in 2018.

Chris is a lifelong resident of White County, and a 1997 graduate of White County High School. He is also a 2000 graduate of Truett-McConnell University, and a 2003 graduate of the University of North Georgia. Chris taught social studies at White County Middle School from 2005-2018, before coming to work with his family.

Chris is married to Courtney Barrett, they live in Cleveland and love to travel anywhere they can.

Chris is an avid Braves and Georgia fan. He serves on the Board of Directors of the White County Fellowship of Christian Athletes and of the White County Family Connections.

Ben Barrett

Funeral Assistant

Ben Barrett, son of Ricky Barrett, is an employee with Barrett Funeral Home. He is a lifelong resident of White County, and a 2007 graduate of White County High School.

Tony Wofford

Funeral Assistant

Tony is a life-long White County resident and has worked at Barrett Funeral Home since 1998.

Ashley Hyde

Secretary

Ashley Hyde has been employed by Barrett Funeral Home since 2013. She is married to Corey Hyde and resides in Cleveland with their three children, Taylor, Addison, and Caleb.

Whitney Cathey

Funeral Service Apprentice

Whitney Cathey is a resident of White County and has grown up near Cleveland all of her life. She is married to Jason Cathey and they have two children. Whitney and her family attend Chattahoochee Baptist Church. While working two jobs, Whitney also enjoys lending a hand on their family farm.

Jack Dippel

Funeral Assistant

Jack has been employed with Barrett Funeral Home since April of 2021. Jack and his wife Tisha have been married 40 years. They have lived in White County since 1997. They have two daughters and a granddaughter.

Junius Miles

Funeral Assistant

Drake Harris

Funeral Assistant

Drake Harris has worked at Barrett Funeral Home since 2012. He is a 2013 graduate of White County High School. Drake is the son of Rev. Milton and Lydia Harris and resides in Cleveland. Drake has future plans to pursue a career in funeral services.

Dennis Young

Funeral Assistant

Dennis is a lifelong resident of White County. He is married to Liz and they have two children and a grandson.