Dustin Wayne Barber

“Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.”

 -J.K. Rowlings

Dustin Wayne Barber, a life-long resident of Albany, Louisiana, tragically passed away in his home surrounded by his family on January 16, 2024. He was a beloved father, son, brother, cousin & friend whose presence will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Dustin was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 25, 1987, to Frank Dewayne Barber and Wanda Roxanne Barber. 

Dustin wore immense pride through his job at the Louisiana Department of Transportation for the last 17 years, where he created numerous connections and made countless friends from all over Louisiana and Mississippi. Dustin dedicated his career to helping others find meaningful employment opportunities and success. Known for his positive influence and outlook. His commitment to his work extended beyond the office walls or truck as he touched countless lives through his unwavering support and mentorship. This symbolized his dedication and unwavering commitment to both teamwork and excellence. Dustin’s educational foundation was laid at Independence High School. He later pursued higher education at ITT Technical College, where he demonstrated his passion for learning and personal growth. While Dustin’s professional achievements were commendable, they paled in comparison to the love and devotion he had for his family. Dustin was a caretaker by nature and spent the better part of his years taking care of family and friends. 

During his journey in life, he found a kindred soul in Brittany, who he would later ask to marry on June 24, 2021. The two shared life experiences, through joys and tribulations that strengthened their connection up to his untimely passing. Together, they chose to have one child, Riggs Colt Barber. Dustin wanted nothing more than to be a father and it showed in his love and attention to Riggs. A doting father, Dustin took great delight in spending time outdoors with Riggs, sitting on the floor playing with him for hours, or just piddling around the house.  Any stranger or friend that Dustin came across would know he had a son, and within minutes you would be shown picture after picture of him. Riggs was without a doubt the absolute love of Dustin’s life. 

Dustin might have had a tough exterior to most, but he will be remembered as a passionate, loving, hardworking individual who made a lasting impact on the lives of those that were privileged to know him. His radiant smile, kind heart, gentle spirit, and jokester ways will forever be etched in the memories of his family and friends. Dustin was deeply passionate about his LSU tigers, didn’t matter if it was football, basketball, or baseball, if a game was on you would find him in his purple and gold tiger-striped shirt yelling at the TV. Which we all know he got from his Mama. Dustin’s other passion in life was cooking. Every weekend he would pick something to cook and would work on it for hours, sometimes days. Anyone that knew him knew two things if you were come to eat one of Dustin’s meals: 1. It’s more then likely going to be spicy 2. If he had made the dish for you before, its was probably not going to taste the same, because he never cooked anything the same way ever. 

Dustin is preceded in death by his mother, Wanda Roxanne Barber; both his maternal grandparents, Frank and Pamela Chabina; paternal grandfathers, Frank J. Barber and James Joiner. Dustin is survived by his father, Frank D. Barber; his fiancée, Brittany Strother Woolf; son, Riggs Colt Barber; his siblings, Noah & Ella Woolf; brother, Austin Barber; “brother,” Brent Hano (Lanie); “sister,” Beth Pigott (Derek); paternal grandmother, Audrey Joiner; aunts, Victoria Overland and Victoria Barber; uncles, James Chabina (Brenda) and Michael Barber; cousins Tammy Miller, Brenna Miller, Traci Curtis, Landyn Curtis, Camryn McCarter, and Kristin Summers.

Pallbearers will be Frank Barber, Brent Hano, Tommy Arceneaux, Derek Pigott, Donald Furca, Robert Istre, Noah Woolf, Kole Morrison. Honorary Pallbearers are Riggs Barber, Kason Hano, Kyle Morrison, Ella Woolf, and Kayleigh Pigott.

To honor Dustin’s life, a visitation has been scheduled at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd. Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 6:00-9:00PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 9:00-11:00AM. with an 11:00AM funeral service. Interment will follow at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Albany, Louisiana. These gatherings will provide an opportunity for all who knew Dustin to come together, share their cherished memories, and find solace in one another during this difficult time.

The family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful team at Albany Fire Department, Albany PD, Livingston Sheriff Office, and Acadian ambulance for taking such great care of Dustin during this difficult time. 

An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.