“Normal people who haven’t lost a child don’t know what to say. We meet as a group, and we can say these things to each other,” said Alyssa.
Alyssa Pirkle is just one of the members of a grief support group offered through Chapel Hill Mortuary, with locations in Kirkwood, Cedar Hill, and Bonne Terre.
“It helps to talk without being judged,” said Alyssa. “These other parents understand. These other grievers understand. You walk in and feel like you belong.”
Chapel Hill Mortuary has offered free grief support services for 25 years. This fall, free grief support services will be provided at the Kirkwood location at 10301 Big Bend Rd.
“Walking through the door the first time is the hardest part,” said Vicky James, Chapel Hill Mortuary Chief Operating Officer. She said some of the most significant support comes from the other members, not necessarily the facilitator.
Vicky said the grief support services are for anybody going through the loss.
Alyssa learned about the support Chapel Hill offered when her firstborn son, Lance Cpl. Jeffry Ray Pirkle was laid to rest at the age of 21. Jeffry died on August 11th, 2020, in North Carolina. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune. The Marine, described by his mom as “big-hearted” and a “gentle giant,” completed training at Fort Leonard Wood.
Alyssa said her biggest fear is that her son will be forgotten. She has an army of family and friends keeping his memory alive through an annual “Spread the Love” peanut butter drive.
Why peanut butter? It was her son’s favorite snack. Jeffry had no problem eating it on anything or even straight from the jar. Jeffry’s love for peanut butter is represented on his headstone with a Jif peanut butter jar vase.
“Nobody understands like somebody who has had to deal with a similar situation,” Alyssa said. “Your whole life changes.” She added, “The amount of support I’ve gotten from Chapel Hill has been tremendous. They reach out to me on Jeffry’s birthday and on the day he died to say we are thinking about you.”
On November 7th, Chapel Hill’s Kirkwood location will offer a holiday memorial event. It will provide support to help those grieving the loss of loved ones during the holidays, and it also features a candlelight ceremony.
For more information on the holiday memorial event or the free grief support services, contact Vicky James at vicky@stlchapelhill.com or by cell phone at (314) 226 - 4457.