Tragedy as beloved southern pastor announces death of his 19-year-old daughter

Sarah Ellington Stone, the 19-year-old daughter of Georgia pastor Mike Stone, has died after a long illness and several months in hospice care. Her father announced her death on Tuesday, saying the family was grieving while drawing comfort from their Christian faith.

Sarah faced multiple illnesses, hospice stays, intensive medication and feeding tubes, and shared reflections online to support other chronically ill Christians. She celebrated her 19th birthday on 3 September and her father’s birthday five days later; a service in her honour is planned for 8 November at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, where Mike Stone has been pastor since 2002.