Bobbie Ann Johnson-Smith was born January 27, 1957 to the late Georgia Bell Hollamon and Bobby Johnson. She was the oldest of three siblings; she graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1976. At age 19, she started out in housekeeping at Grant Hospital where she worked her way up to ward secretary. While still working at Grant Hospital she attended medical school, she graduated in 1994 and became a Registered Nurse, in which she continued her services at Grant Hospital for several years. Later, she joined the medical team at Peterson Park Health Center where she worked for 17 years until she was called home.