Georgia pastor Mike Stone has announced the death of his 19-year-old daughter, Sarah Ellington Stone, who had been living with multiple illnesses and receiving hospice care.
Stone shared the news on social media Tuesday, saying his family’s Christian faith was supporting them through their grief.
“With heavy hearts upheld by our Christian faith, we want to share that our precious Sarah has gone to be with the Lord,” he wrote.
Sarah entered hospice care in August. In the months that followed, her father shared updates about her health, her faith and the moments their family cherished together.
A birthday her father was grateful to share
Sarah turned 19 on September 3. A few days later, she was also able to celebrate her father’s birthday with him.
“We are blessed to have made it to Sarah’s 19th birthday and I’m really so happy she made it to celebrate my birthday, too,” 4Stone wrote on Facebook on September 8.
Sarah’s illnesses required strict medication routines and feeding tubes, and they limited her ability to take part in regular activities. Her parents had understood for months that she was approaching the end of her life.
In an October update, Stone said the family remained grateful that Sarah was still with them, even as they recognized that her health was declining.
“As ravaged as her body is from disease, her mind remains sharp and her faith is strong,” he wrote.
He also shared a glimpse of his daughter’s personality, saying her sense of humor “rarely misses a beat. Or a chance at a joke.”
Sarah shared her faith and experience with others
Sarah documented her experience with chronic illness on social media, hoping to help other Christians living with similar challenges make sense of their faith.
In a video from November 2025, she spoke about the different forms of grief that can accompany chronic illness.
“It’s not just the loss of our health but the loss of dreams, plans and a version of life that never got the chance to exist,” she said.
In a message accompanying the video, Sarah wrote that the lessons she discussed could apply to many kinds of hardship. “No matter what trial you’re facing, his grace will be sufficient,” she wrote.
Her father also reflected on the strength of her faith after she entered hospice care. In an update five weeks into her stay, he wrote, “Sarah is proving that her fight is as strong as her faith.”
Family will honor Sarah at church
Stone serves as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia. He joined the church as minister of music in October 1996 and became a pastor in June 2002.
A service honoring Sarah is scheduled for November 8 at Emmanuel Baptist Church of Blackshear.
