Born in Owensboro, Ky., on Aug. 1, 1893, Martha Serena was the only daughter, among six sons, of Cornelius and Frances Emma Long Smith. At age 17, Martha entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph on August 5, 1910. She received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Xavier on August 30, 1910. At some later date, she began using the name Sister Francis Xavier.
Sister Francis Xavier was prepared for the teaching apostolate which began in 1912 at St. Francis Xavier in Raywick, Ky., where she taught the black children for four years. After spending three years at Mount Saint Joseph, she was missioned to Howardstown, Ky., for four years. In 1923, she returned to Raywick for another year.
Sister underwent major surgery at St. Joseph Infirmary, Louisville, on September 2, 1924, and died five days later. Her remains were returned to Mount Saint Joseph. On September 8, her brother, Father Leo Smith, celebrated the funeral Mass. Sister Francis Xavier’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.