Lorraine Mauldin carried a passion for young people her entire life. Although she spent most of her career working in Georgia public schools, her heart was for Adventist education. Never married, her students became her children. Canton, Georgia was her mission field. Her English classroom at Cherokee High School was the place where she taught literature, writing and grammar, but it was also the place where she ministered to kids and won their hearts.

The impact of growing up during the Depression, combined with her own family's economic impoverishment, gave her a tender heart for those who struggled to provide a Christian education for their children. As Lorraine heard stories of families who sacrificed to have their children at Georgia-Cumberland Academy and the way those young lives were being transformed, her decision was made. She wanted to provide a means for more young people to experience Adventist education by including GCA as a significant beneficiary in her estate plan.

Always careful with her money, this single teacher lived simply and systematically planned for the future. When she died in 2014, Lorraine Mauldin left the bulk of her estate to Georgia-Cumberland Academy. Lorraine's gift made a difference for many students, especially those needing special assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Susan Jenkins, business manager, notes, "Lorraine Mauldin's estate gift was providential and helped GCA students for several years. The gift's impact was most acutely felt during the pandemic. When our families were struggling financially and anxious about how they could continue to afford GCA, the Mauldin gift allowed us to offer additional financial aid to our families affected by job loss, health challenges, and the financial strain of the shutdown. Many, many students and families were beneficiaries during a time of anxiety, uncertainty, and deep need. The Mauldin gift was a lifeline of relief and hope for GCA and our families.

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