Clara Angela was born February 24, 1907 to F.G. and Anna Higdon Johnson of Knottsville, Kentucky. She graduated from Daviess County High School in Owensboro and attended Western Kentucky State Teachers College. Clara entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph when she was 29. Following a seven-month postulancy, she received the Ursuline habit on August 14, 1937, and the name Sister Ann Frances.
Sister Ann Frances was a teacher of the middle grades and had assignments at numerous parochial and public in Kentucky schools staffed by the Ursuline Sisters. In 1940, she was missioned to Cloverport and in 1942 she was asked to come back to the motherhouse and manage the aviary. In 1948, she was once again assigned to classroom teaching at Peonia, Wax, Mayfield, St. Paul (Leitchfield), St. Raphael, Knottsville (her hometown), a return to Wax and St. Raphael, Sorgho, and finally a return to Mayfield. After 26 years of classroom teaching, Sister Ann Frances was missioned to Mount Saint Joseph (1967) to assist the Infirmarian and staff in caring for the aged and sick sisters. She ministered in this capacity for 23 years until her own health failed in 1990.
As the months passed, Sister Ann Frances became a patient in the infirmary until her death on November 2, 1992 — All Souls’ Day. The wake service was held the following day. On November 4, Father Anthony Shonis, chaplain, celebrated the funeral Mass. Sister Ann Frances’ remains are buried in the convent cemetery.