Oct. 2, 2007 — Lucy Smith-Prince, known worldwide as Miss Lucy, the St. John taxi driver who wore a hibiscus in her hair and drove a taxi decorated with a set of goat horns dripping flowers, died Friday at her daughter's house on St. Thomas. She was 91.
While visitors will recall her colorful commentary on round-the-island tours, which made her a favorite of travel writers for years, island residents remember her in other ways.
"She was the first person I saw as an entrepreneur," said St. John resident Alvis Christian. Miss Lucy got her start selling bread, pastries and drinks from her home in Friis Bay, he said. She later took up driving a taxi.
"She was independent and always ready to help out people in the community," Christian said.
Miss Lucy was a strong supporter of St. John's July 4th activities, the Coral Bay Labor Day Parade and the annual Christmas sing at the Coral Bay basketball court, recalled St. John Administrator Leona Smith.
In 2004, the St. John Festival and Cultural Committee honored Miss Lucy by naming the July 4th Celebration village after her. The administrator also talked about Miss Lucy's contribution to the island's tourism industry as a taxi driver.
"People came back every year looking for her," she said.
Her name also graces Miss Lucy's Restaurant in Friis Bay. Guy Walsh, who owns the restaurant with Miss Lucy's son, William "Eddie" Smith, said he met Miss Lucy shortly after he arrived on St. John 20 years ago.
"Everything I know about boats, plants, berries, fish, I know from her," Walsh said.
In addition to selling baked goods from home, Eddie Smith said, his mother catered at Cinnamon Bay Campground. Miss Lucy opened her restaurant in the late 1970s, he said. She also ran a pre-kindergarten school.
Eddie Smith said he will remember his mother as a strong person who loved the outdoors and animals. Miss Lucy loved St. John's natural beauty, he said.
"And she was a person who cared a whole lot about the island," he said.
The Rev. Lillette George, who heads the flock at Emmaus and Bethany Moravian Churches, said she plans to talk at the upcoming funeral service about Miss Lucy's ability to identify each of her sheep.
"She knew the way they bleated," George said.
In addition to Eddie Smith, Miss Lucy is survived by daughters Eloise V. Smith Hendricks and Linda Smith Francis, as well as daughter-in-law Cecilia M. Walters-Smith.
Other relatives include her sister, Casilda Matthias Bonelli. Her grandchildren are Vernelle Smith deLagarde, Peter Francis Jr., Neal O. Francis Sr., Kurt I. Hendricks, Ray Francis Sr., William E. Smith II, Laurie Lynn Francis and Odari Smith.
She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great and great-great grandchildren, cousins, godchildren and friends.
Viewing will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Davis Funeral Home on St. Thomas.
A second viewing and musical tribute will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay. The funeral begins at 10 a.m. at the church. She will be buried at Emmaus Cemetery.
Transportation will be provided from the Cruz Bay ferry dock to the church and back. The shuttle will meet the ferries that depart Red Hook, St. Thomas at 8 and 9 a.m.
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