NORTH SHELBY – A support class for people struggling with the loss of a spouse hosted by Asbury United Methodist Church is a legacy of a deceased member.

Maggie Dunaway, congregational care director at Asbury, said Reg Hug attended a Community Grief Support class after losing his wife and approached Asbury officials about offering the class at his church.

“Here he is, this big gruff man, and he said, ‘I never would have gotten through this without Community Grief Support,’” Dunaway said.

Hug died in May 2014, leaving a grant for the program as part of his will, and Asbury brought the program to the church beginning in 2015, Dunaway said.

“We’ve been able to do it because of him,” she said.

The 10-week class begins from 5:30-7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20 in Room 107 at Asbury United Methodist Church, located at 6690 Cahaba Valley Road in North Shelby County.

Community Grief Support is a Birmingham-based non-profit organization, with no religious affiliation, that provides curriculum-based group support facilitated by counselors trained in bereavement.

The class is open to anyone in the community dealing with the loss of a spouse within the last two years, and is provided at no cost with free childcare available if needed.

To register, contact Community Grief Support at 870-8667 or visit CommunityGriefSupport.org.

Anyone interested may also contact Dunaway at mdunaway@asburyonline.org for more information.