Directors

Amanda Edmondson, Chair

The Lord has given Amanda a heart for helping youth, serving previously as a mentor for the RCH and church youth leader for many years. Amanda holds an MPA from the University of Georgia and has worked in various aspects of local government community planning and development since 2005. Amanda is the Dawson County Director of Downtown Development and CEO of Edmondson Commercial Interiors and consults as a professional planner as well as an interior designer. Amanda currently uses her training as a project management professional, paralegal, and CVIOG Local Government Financial Officer as the RCH Executive Board Chair; seeking to strengthen the organization’s ability to help more girls

Cyndi Fraser, Secretary

Elizabeth Bell

Elizabeth Bell is currently employed at Lumpkin County High School where she works with teens on a daily basis. She enjoys working with young people and her goal is to mentor those kids and have a lasting impact on their lives. She has a heart for troubled youth and is glad to have this opportunity to serve the Lord by being a part of the Rainbow Children’s Home. She is married to Greg Bell, director and founder of Missions From The Mountains Ministry. They have been on countless mission trips to Kentucky, West Virginia and Mississippi where they have shared the gospel and helped many families in need. They also serve here in Dahlonega as well. She feels very strongly that only through the love of Christ and His salvation can these young people overcome the obstacles that they face on a daily basis.

Sheriff Stacy Jarrard

Stacy Jarrard began serving the citizens of Lumpkin County in 1988 when he started working for the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office. A brief time was spent in Dawson and Forsyth County, still in law enforcement, but it took less than three years for Stacy to realize he wanted to return to Lumpkin County, where he was born and raised, to serve the citizens there. Stacy lives in Lumpkin County with his wife, Rebecca, and their daughter, McKenzie. Stacy has served in different capacities within the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office his greatest being when he was elected Sheriff of Lumpkin County in 2008.

Quataunda Armstrong

Armstrong was born and raised in Mississippi and moved to North Georgia as a teenager. She is a strong advocate for Women who have been abused and raped. Quataunda was nominated for Who’s Who in America for 2022 and 2023. Quataunda is owner and operator of Xclusiv Boutique and Founder of Xclusiv Legacy Builders. Quataunda is a Board Member and active Casa Advocate in Lumpkin County, A mentor for the Lumpkin County Rainbow House for Girls and Board Member., Quataunda is the Vice Chair for the Dahlonega Cemetery Committee, A member of the Chamber of Commerce in Dahlonega, Quataunda is also an active member in the Rotary Club of Lumpkin County and First Black Female Business Owner in Lumpkin County. Her mission is to lead people to Christ with love!

Mary Lanford

I have been a resident of Lumpkin County for over 20 years.  I am a retired educator with 22 years in service, the last 12 years as a teacher in Cobb County. I have a BS in Education from UGA and a Master’s in Education from UNG.  I have worked with children and youth in varying ways all my life.  That’s where my heart is!

I am the mother of four children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. My husband of 50+ years, Rev. Bob Lanford passed away in 2009.

Music and singing have always been a big part of my life.  I have sung in church choirs since my youth and have sung with the Cherokee Chorale for over 20 years. Oil painting, outdoor activities, and visiting my grandchildren are my favorite pastime activities.

I became interested in the Rainbow Children’s Home over 20 years ago when the United Methodist Women took them on as a local service project.  The children and staff have been a source of great joy and many prayers.

I welcome the opportunity to participate as a board member!

Doreen Ward

Doreen has been an active member of the community of Lumpkin County since her arrival in 2009. Prior to living in the beautiful North GA mountains, Doreen left her childhood home of sixteen years in New Jersey and traveled the country as a dependent of a soldier. During her family’s military travels, she was introduced to and became the spouse of an active-duty soldier, Richard W. Ward. During this time, they had 2 beautiful boys, Alex, and Robbie. His career brought them to Dahlonega, Ga. in 2009. They fell in love with the area and never regrated in establishing roots ever since. Their two sons continued their schooling, and both graduated from Lumpkin County High. Doreen volunteered in many areas during their athletic years by being both a wrestling and football mom.

During their time in military service, Doreen was able to obtain an associate degree in liberal arts, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from the University of Hawaii. While her husband was serving, Doreen took courses with the army readiness center which enabled her to become a Family Readiness Support Assistant. During this time Doreen worked with over 500 family members for an aviation unit at Fort Campbell, KY. This included helping the families while the unit deployed to Iraq.

While her husband finished the twilight of his career, Doreen went right to work in Dahlonega. She worked for Amedisys Medical as a scheduler, dove into the Real-estate business, and now is currently a family partner profession.

Her oldest son of 28 years Alex, followed along his father’s and Step- grandfather’s footsteps and went into the US Army as well. During his time defending this wonderful nation, he married our beautiful daughter-in-law, Kyla. In turn Alex and Kyla have 2 beautiful baby boys. The family is overjoyed when all are in town together.

Their younger son Robbie made the military a family business by going into the US Army Reserves right after graduation in 2017. He currently is completing his collegiate career at the University of North Georgia and will be gaining a commission. He is scheduled to report back to his reserve unit as 2LT Robert Ward.

Doreen enjoys reading her bible, her family, spending time with her grandsons, and visiting the surrounding north Georgia mountain communities. You can find her at any local Farmer’s market hunting for that fresh honey and vegetables as she converses with locals on where to get the best fresh cut meats at the best prices as well as asking about your family’s matters or situations. She is also highly influential at one of the local sororities and has been a member of one of the county chamber functions. When traveling, she won’t stay too long or go very far because at home, there is a beautiful 13-year-old dog as well as 9 chickens and 3 roosters.