Darby Seeks 7th Term as Cherokee County Coroner

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CANTON, GA -- Cherokee County Coroner Earl Darby has announced his bid to seek re-election.

Darby qualified on Monday as a Republican to run for a seventh consecutive term for the seat, to which he was first elected in 1993.

The primary is scheduled for May 24.

While Cherokee County's population has tripled since he first took office, Darby remains the only full-time coroner, with the help of two part-time deputy coroners.

With the rising number of drug overdoses being documented in Cherokee County, Darby said "it is important that the office of coroner has somebody in place with experience."

"Drug overdoses are destroying families in our community," he said. "I have the experience to conduct the coroner’s investigation in the manner it should be conducted. In addition, it is imperative our office assist law enforcement and the district attorney in preserving evidence.”

As a life-long resident of Cherokee County, Darby and wife Olene are the owners of Darby Funeral Home in downtown Canton.

Darby attended Canton Elementary School before graduating from Cherokee High School. He was employed by the former Huey Funeral Home in 1972 and found the service industry suited him.

He became a licensed funeral director in 1980 after graduating from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science. He successfully completed his coroner training through the Georgia Police Academy.

Other training Darby has completed include the Medicolegal Death Investigation Course at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Emergency Medical Technician training at Pickens Technical School.

Coroners are also required to attend annual training every calendar year to stay breast of issues affecting their profession.

Darby has also been involved in networking and training since being elected.

He has been a member of the Georgia Coroners Association since 1993. Other positions he's held include serving in several offices of the Association (president from 2005 to 2006 and chairman of the Georgia Coroners Association Legislative Committee) and accepting an appointment to the Georgia Coroners Training Council in 2004.

Darby was also named Georgia Coroner of the Year by the Georgia Coroners Association in 2006, given the LeRoy Simms Distinguished Service Award by the Georgia Coroners Association in 2007, was selected to serve on the Georgia Department of Human Resource Vital Electronic Information System Oversight Committee and served on the Cherokee County Child Fatality Review Committee.

Darby is also active in the local community. He is a member and president of the Canton Jaycees, member and chairman of the Cherokee Community Action Committee, member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and former member of its Board of Directors, founding member and former chairman of the Cherokee County Volunteer Aging Council, founding member and chairman of Cherokee Triad/S.A.L.T. Council, member and current junior deacon of the Canton Masonic Lodge and a member and current president of the Cherokee Shrine Club.

“Olene and I have considered it an honor to serve the citizens of Cherokee County with respect and admiration," Darby continued. "I hope the voters will look at my record and continue to support me and work with me in continuing to make Cherokee County the great place it is.”

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Photo: Earl Darby, left, with Cherokee County Republican Party Chairman Rick Davies. Credit: Cherokee County Republican Party