Stone Pope, 17-month-old son of Conway, South Carolina trainer, Shane Pope and his wife, Holt Graham-Pope, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Stone was born with four congenital heart defects, underwent open heart surgery when he was 8 days old and was facing another surgery later this year or next.

“From the day he was born, you could look at Stone and know he was a miracle. And while I am selfish and want him here, I am rejoicing in the fact that we got 17 amazing months with a little boy that wasn’t supposed to be here,” Holt wrote on her facebook page. “He touched lives all over the world, and his changed life, changed lives. The miracle and blessing of his story will live on.”

Stone was a familiar smile at horse shows across the country and a popular model for Holt’s photography and ad designs. He loved his family’s pets, the beach and his big sister, Madison, 4. Shane is a well-known and successful AQHA and futurity horse trainer who coaches youth and amateur competitors. Holt owns and operates Holt Advertising, an equine advertising agency and recently opened her own photography studio, Southern Moon Photography, in Conway.

In addition to his parents and sister, survivors include: maternal grandparents, Dr. Jim and Annette Graham of Myrtle Beach; paternal grandparents, Johnny and Sheron Pope of Conway; paternal great-grandmother, Maryan Caughman May and husband Ed of Murrells Inlet; aunt and uncles, Shannon and Joey Stinnett, Rhett and April Graham, Jennifer and Doug Constable, Millie Graham and Clay and Sidney Graham.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday at Beach Church with the Rev. Todd Elliot, the Rev. Ronnie Byrd and the Rev. Everette Douglas officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday at Beach Church.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to: Beach Church, 557 George Bishop Pkwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 or The American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, 1113 44^th Avenue North, Suite 200, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

Please sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

The Heart of Stone Fund

The sudden passing of Stone Pope last week left much of the equine industry in shock and tears. The Heart of Stone Fund was formed in honor of  The Pope Family. The purpose is to raise funds for the family in their time of need to provide some moral and financial assistance to ease the pressure and allow their family to go through the grieving process. All 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Pope Family to support this purpose.

At the Ohio Quarter Horse Association’s annual banquet last weekend Shane Watson auctioned off a stuffed giraffe and a stall to the Buckeye Classic with hopes of raising $1,000 to jump start the Heart of Stone Fund. Together between families, trainers, individuals and different Ohio associations over $15,000 was pledged for the Pope family.

For everyone interested in helping the Pope family, you can now purchase t-shirts, hats and hoodies to pay tribute to the little man who made such an incredible impact. The website www.HeartOfStoneFund.com has been set up so anyone anywhere can purchase items with the Heart of Stone logo.