Ben L. Harbin

Augusta, GA — Entered into rest on April 30, 2025. Benjie Lewis Harbin, 61, was a loving father, brother, son, and friend.

Born October 28, 1963, in Toombs County, Georgia, Ben graduated from Hephzibah High School, Georgia Military College (Graduate of Distinction), and earned his MBA from Mercer University, where he also received an honorary Doctor of Law (JD) degree.

Ben served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1994–2015, representing District 122 and holding key leadership roles, including chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee where he helped balance Georgia’s budget during the worst financial downturn since the Great Depression. He also helped guide Georgia’s budget through economic challenges and championed major projects, including the Dental College of Georgia and an Augusta Tech campus in Grovetown.

He was named Georgia Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year (2009), earned the National Coalition for Capital’s Champion of Small Business Award (2011), and received multiple honors from healthcare and county organizations.

After public service, Ben worked with Southern Strategy Group and later as a senior advisor at BakerHostetler. He remained active in civic life, serving on boards including the Georgia Music Foundation, Civic Affairs Foundation, and Doctors Hospital of Augusta.

Ben is survived by his son, Hampton Harbin; his devoted partner, Bethany Lange; his sisters, Jeanine Harbin Usry (David), Jolee Harbin Rabun (Curt), Stacey Harbin Rose (John), and Tara Harbin Sanders (Jay); and several loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his stepfather, Donald Ray Laakso, stepmother, Sandra Dryden Harbin; and his former wife, Hope Whitfield Harbin, mother of his children. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Caitlin Harbin Gould; his father, Bennie Clyde Harbin; and his mother, Sandra Thompson Laakso. 

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son. Interment will follow in Westover Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope House, 2205 Highland Avenue, Augusta, GA 30909, or Autism Speaks, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037.

Pallbearers will be Quint Rabun, Evan Usry, Michael Weathers, Isaac Weathers, Cody Gould, Robin Williams, Dave Pratt, and Hunter Towns.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484.