James and Martha Redmond Smith had moved from New Haven, Ky., to St. Mary, and had finally settled at Browns Valley where Anna was born on September 9, 1898. She was a cousin of Father Leo Smith and Sister Francis Xavier Smith, OSU. At the age of 19, Anna entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph. On August 5, 1918, she received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Stephen.
Following her novitiate years, Sister Mary Stephen was missioned at St. Michael School in Fairfield, Ky., for a year. Her next mission was St. James School in Louisville where she earned a reputation as an excellent first grade teacher. Between two bouts of illness, she taught at St. Columba School in Louisville. Another assignment was Immaculate Conception School in Earlington, Ky. Sister Mary Stephen was principal at St. Elizabeth School in Curdsville, Ky., until March 19, 1932. She suffered from influenza and was brought to Mount Saint Joseph for care until April 2, 1932, when she was admitted to St. Joseph Infirmary in Louisville. She was treated for mastoiditis and pneumonia. She underwent mastoid surgery on May 7. Two blood transfusions were administered and everything possible was done to save Sister Mary Stephen’s life, but to no avail. She died on May 23.
Father James L. Whelan, chaplain, celebrated the funeral Mass on May 25, 1932. Sister Mary Stephen’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery. Among her survivors was her Ursuline sister, Sister Mary Rita.