Meet the staff of Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church. When contacting the church, they will be happy to introduce you to all PRP has to offer and assist you in any way they can.
Rev. Roberta Lee Bella
Pastor
Born and raised in Ohio, Rev. Bella came to Pleasant Run in 2009 by way of Michigan, Kentucky and Southern Indiana. She loves being back in Ohio and especially at PRPC a congregation which never ceases to amaze her in its generosity, compassion, and concern for the surrounding community. For her the Church is not a place but a people called to love and learn and grow and share the joy of the most meaningful rewarding relationship one can have – with God through Jesus Christ.
In her first career Bobbie worked in the laboratory as a medical technologist. More recently she served as a chaplain at University and Norton Hospitals in Louisville. She is married to Wes and between them they have four sons and eight grandchildren. Bobbie is a graduate of Western Kentucky University and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Her favorite things to do include reading, refinishing furniture, and watching the Reds win.
Barbara McKinney
Administrative Assistant
After living for a year in Colorado with her husband while he served in the Army, Barbara McKinney moved back to Cincinnati and settled in North College Hill where she and her husband raised two wonderful sons. Wanting to be at home to raise her sons, she left her job with an underwriting company and held all sorts of part time jobs over the next 20 odd years including babysitting, selling Avon, managing a local newspaper route, selling calligraphy at local and out of state craft shows, data entry for the IRS, and working for a temporary secretarial service.
Then, a year after winning a battle with cancer in 1997, McKinney says she was blessed even further by being hired as Administrative Assistant for Pleasant Run Presbyterian Church. She feels position is a wonderful mixture of interesting work with devoted and friendly people, and gives her a feeling of satisfaction in helping to further God’s work and word.
Barbara McKinney was a member of the former St. Philip’s Episcopal Church where she published the church newsletter for six years, and was the Senior Warden for five years and treasurer for nine years. She is the proud grandmother of four precious grandchildren.
Elliott Smith
Music Director
Pianist Elliott Smith received a Master of Music in piano performance and a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music after earning his Bachelor of Music in piano from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. His principal piano teachers have included Elizabeth Pridonoff, Dr. Ruby Morgan, and Barbara Stone. He was also a student at Brevard Music Center where he studied piano with Dr. Douglas Weeks. His conducting teachers have included Dr. Elmer Thomas, Dr. Earl Rives, Dr. Brett Scott, and Annunziata Tomaro. An avid choral, vocal, and instrumental accompanist, Elliott has played numerous recitals at both Furman University and the University of Cincinnati where he also served as a Graduate Assistant in choral accompanying.