“Sarah’s faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ means she has now passed from the land of the dying into the land of the living.”
Stone leads Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia, and is a well-known figure within the Southern Baptist Convention. He previously served as chairman of the denomination’s Executive Committee and was a conservative candidate for SBC president in 2021.
According to her father, Sarah embraced Christianity when she was just six years old. Her faith remained central to her life, even as she endured years of physical suffering and increasingly difficult medical circumstances.
“Converted at age 6, Christ was her hope in this life,” Stone added. “He is now her hope in death.”
Sarah’s medical struggles were extensive. The Christian Post reported that she entered hospice care in August after battling several serious conditions, including neuromuscular weakness, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, gastroparesis, and intestinal failure.
Her final 12 weeks in hospice lasted longer than her family had initially anticipated. Throughout that period, loved ones and supporters followed updates about her condition, offering prayers and encouragement as her health continued to deteriorate.
Despite the tremendous challenges she faced, Sarah’s story became about something greater than her medical circumstances. Her family sought to use her suffering as an opportunity to share their Christian beliefs and encourage others to look beyond the difficulties of this world.
That commitment also inspired a charitable effort that will carry Sarah’s legacy forward.
On her 19th birthday, the Stone family established the SonShine Foundation. Created at Sarah’s request, the organization aims to provide support for foreign missionary work and families raising children with chronic illnesses.
The foundation reflects two causes that were particularly meaningful to Sarah: spreading the Christian faith and helping families who understand firsthand the emotional, physical, and financial burdens associated with serious childhood illnesses.
Her final months also attracted considerable attention from Christians across the country and beyond. Social media announcements concerning her transition into hospice care and, ultimately, her death reached hundreds of thousands of viewers.
As news of her passing spread, an outpouring of condolences came from pastors, ministry leaders, and Christian organizations, including several prominent voices within the Southern Baptist community.
Tom Ascol, a fellow pastor and president of Founders Ministries, offered his condolences in a message to Stone.
“Praying, brother. Grateful for Sarah’s life & testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ,” Ascol wrote.
Georgia Right to Life also expressed its support for the grieving family.
“We are praying for your family,” the organization’s official account stated.
Justin Peters, a pastor and founder of Justin Peters Ministries, shared another heartfelt tribute, recognizing the significance of Sarah’s short life and the example she left behind.
“My prayers are with you and your family, brother. They truly are. Her life was short, but it was well-lived to the glory of Christ. Well done, Sarah,” Peters wrote.
The Stone family’s announcement also included a passage from the Book of Job, reflecting their determination to remain faithful even in the midst of profound sorrow.
“The Lord gave. The Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
The biblical passage captures the difficult balance between mourning a loved one and maintaining faith during circumstances that are impossible to fully understand.
For Mike Stone and his family, the loss of Sarah is undoubtedly heartbreaking. No parent expects to say goodbye to a child so young, particularly after watching her endure years of illness and suffering.
But the family has made clear that Sarah’s life should not be remembered solely through the medical challenges she faced.
Instead, they are pointing to her faith, her testimony, and the charitable work she inspired as lasting parts of her legacy.
Although Sarah’s earthly journey ended at just 19, the foundation established in her name will continue serving others, particularly families confronting the same kinds of difficult circumstances that shaped her final years.
For the Stone family, the separation is painful, but their Christian convictions provide a source of hope that extends beyond this life.
Their message is ultimately one of faith in the face of unimaginable grief: Sarah may be gone from their sight, but they believe this is not the end of her story.
