Eaton steps down as Baptist Health chaplain

 After more than 10 years ministering to patients and families at Baptist Health Corbin, Reverend Bobby Joe Eaton is retiring as the hospital chaplain.

“It has been a wonderful 13 years,” Eaton said during a send off reception Friday morning at the hospital where he received numerous hugs and well wishes from staff members and administrators.

“After thirteen years of service he has made quite an impression on this hospital and leaves an important legacy,” said Baptist Health Corbin Chairman Larry Gray. “However, I am excited for him that he will be able to give his attention and energy more fully to shepherding his congregation and community.

The 67-year-old Eaton has been a man of the cloth for 24 years. While he is stepping down at the hospital, Eaton said he is not stepping away from his calling, as he will continue to pastor at Poplar Grove Baptist Church.

Eaton said he will be working four days a week at the church, while spending three days in semi-retirement, including time with the grandchildren, gardening and other hobbies and ministering to church members in area nursing homes.

Eaton said he began his ministry at the hospital in 2001, stepping up from visiting members of his church to taking of the entire hospital.

“Since I knew everybody in the community, they thought I would be a good fit,” Eaton said.

As could be clearly seen at Friday’s event Eaton is a firm believer that laughter is good for both the body and spirit. As staff members came in to the hospital boardroom to see him, Eaton cracked good-natured jokes with each one.

Eaton said each day he is at the hospital he has a goal to visit every room, along with each patient awaiting surgery.

“You just listen to each patient and you will know what they will need from you,” Eaton said, noting humor can be a good tool with some while others just want a few comforting words and someone with whom they can pray.

“You are just trying to get their mind off the sickness and get them thinking about other things,” Eaton said.

Eaton added that the job can be emotionally draining as you get used to seeing a person and members of the family every day and get close to them, only to see the name in the paper when that person has died.

Gray said the atmosphere around the hospital will not be the same without Eaton.

“Bobby Joe, you are a wonderful servant leader, a compassionate pastor and friend, a trustworthy colleague and a constant witness to the love and spirit of Christ Gray said. “Thank you for all of that and more.”

Eaton said he will still be coming to the hospital to see church members and will make sure to stop and talk with staff members or anyone else who asks for some of his time.

Eaton added that the two people coming in Phillip Johnson and Alice Tremaine will serve the hospital well.

“I know the patients are in good hands,” Eaton said. “They will fit in nicely.”