Barbara Alice Smith was born in 1942 in Columbus to G. Frank Smith, aka George Franklin Smith. Her father was born in 1907 and died in 1981. The 1950 census places the family at 2922 Cusseta Rd. G. Frank is listed as a waiter at a cafe, the Firm Roberts Café. His 1941 draft card lists him as working at the Firm Roberts Café. 1954 saw him as the manager. He took over the café by 1955, keeping the same name, when Firm Roberts retired and no one in his family wanted to take over. Firm Roberts Jr. was a cabinet maker. The café was at 3658 Cusseta Road.

Barbara’s senior prophecy in 1959 from Baker High has her opening a new chain of Firm Roberts Cafes throughout the South. She lived at 3636 Cusseta Rd. in the 1950s. After graduating high school, she attended Columbus College and was the first homecoming queen. In 1962 she married Robert L. McCloud III. (see scrapbook). The café was a popular hangout for Barbara and her friends. Photos are in the scrapbooks. The Firm Roberts Café was supposedly the originator of the scramble dog.