Newspaper Page Text
Page 2— Wednesday, July 6, 2022, The True Citizen
BCHS graduate publishes book
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
“Grieve with Grace” is a
book inspired by the personal
tragic loss suffered by 1996
Burke County High School
graduate Shuntoya Chatman.
Chatman lost her oldest son,
Christopher, in an accident in
2006. He was 4 years old. The
tragic loss inspired her to help
others who are trying to cope
with grief. After receiving
therapy to help her process
her own loss, she realized she
wanted to make a difference
in other peoples’ lives in the
same way. She attended Val
dosta State University where
she earned a master’s degree
in social work. She is now a
licensed clinical social worker
who provides grief counseling
to her clients at her office in
Augusta. Chatman continues to
reside in Burke County.
“I had to start my own jour
ney of healing due to the un
expected loss,” she said. “I
felt there was a need to help
individuals understand what
grief looks like.”
Chatman thought about writ
ing a book for several years, but
this year she made the decision
to move forward with the idea.
She spent three months writing
the self-published book, avail
able for purchase on Amazon.
Writing the book was a chal
lenging process, often promot
ing sadness and tears because it
caused her to relive past expe
riences based on her grief. She
had to take occasional breaks
from the emotional draining it
caused.
“When you are talking about
your own journey with grief,
it can be triggering,” Chatman
said. “So, there were moments
that I had to take a pause and
collect myself and say ‘okay,
how can I push myself to finish
this project.’”
“Grieve with Grace” offers
its readers the understanding
that grief has no expiration
date. It takes time to heal.
Everybody’s journey is dif
ferent and everyone grieves
in different ways. The healing
process doesn’t necessarily fit
into popular grieving models.
Support systems that extend
outside of immediate family
are crucial tools.
“That is what I’ve encoun
tered in private practice. Some
times, because of societal
beliefs when it comes to grief,
some feel like it’s something
that should be hurried along,”
she said. “That’s really not the
information that you want to
share with people who have
experienced a loss. The loss
is going to be there with you.
It’s not going to just go away.”
Chatman is holding a book
signing at the Burke County
Library July 9 from 2-5 p.m.
The event will include other
local vendors as well, showcas
ing their products. Chatman
will be donating a copy of the
book to the library for checkout
and will have copies available
onsite for purchase.
Appointments for grief coun
seling can be made with Chat
man by calling 478-401-4748.
More information about the
services she offers is available
at www.mywholisticcounsel-
ing.com
Come help United Way of the CSRA
STUFF THE BUS!
SCHOOL SUPPLY COLLECTION DRIVE
Saturday, July 23, 2022
Waynesboro Walmart
9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Hot dogs and drinks will
be provided for a donation
of school supplies!
Burke County High School Band will be performing!
Robert Hunnicutt with 92.9 The Soul Mine wilt be broadcasting LIVE!
United Way is inviting local companies and individuals to donate school supply items
for Burke County children in need for the upcoming school year!
This event is to COLLECT supplies and NOT to DISTRIBUTE supplies.
twffirters:
Walmart i\i
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United Way of the CSRA
Contact United Way
at (707) 724-5544
for further details.
Shuntoya Chatman is holding a book signing at the Burke
County Library July 9 from 2-5 p.m.
Thank you for supporting
the Mad Anthony's Big Boom
WANT TO HELP?
To make a donation, send checks to the City of Waynesboro/
DDAc/o Don Lively, 615 N. Liberty St., Waynesboro, GA
30830, or to make arrangements, email donlively.dda@
gmail.com.
BURKE COUNTY LIBRARY
JULY 9 FROM 2-5 P.M.
THIS WEEK’S DONATIONS:
J & B Tractor company
Mickey Stewart
Dr. Paul and Ms. Tara Kim
Paul Thigpen Ford
TOTAL
TOTAL TO DATE:
GOAL:
NEEDED:
$100
$100
$50
$500
$750.00
$9,595
$10,020
$425
For more information contact
Elizabeth Highsmith
IREAL ESTATE CO.J
Direct 706-551-0729 - Elizabeth@BlanchardAndCalhoun.com
Office 706-554-6097 * www.blanchardandcalhoun.com
NO APPLICATION FEE! for individuals 55+
Special offer available at:
731 Charles Perry Ave., Sardis, GA 30456
855 Liberty St., Waynesboro, GA 30830
2455 Highway 88, Hephzibah, GA 30815
21 College St., Gibson, GA 30810
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Receive a free 32" television when
you sign a 12-month lease!*
*Must move in by July 50, 2022.
706.703.4992
201 Ward Street | Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
706-437-9977
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