Former physical education teacher and O’Herron Distinguished Faculty Award recipient Merri Judith “Judy” Young, 61, of Charleston, S.C., passed away on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, following a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. 

From her obituary, Young was a loving wife, extraordinary teacher/coach/mentor, avid golfer and most notably a mother thoroughly committed to her children.

Young taught K-12 as a Health and Physical Education teacher for more than 30 years. 

While at Ravenscroft, Judy received the O’Herron Distinguished Faculty Award, which recognizes teaching excellence. The criteria for the O’Herron Awards are as follows: “They are to be given in recognition of a teacher’s devotion to the teaching profession as demonstrated by exemplary classroom performance. They are intended to reward those teachers who serve as examples to their colleagues by exceeding expectations and providing each student with an outstanding classroom experience.”

Judy coached multiple sports (Golf, Softball, Cheer, Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field and Cross Country), winning two State Championships (Golf, Softball). 

True to her commitment of “forever learning,” Judy recently earned her Master's in Education – Health & PE Education from Georgia State University.

Young is survived by her husband, their children and her siblings. Read her complete online obituary here.  

The Young Family will have a “Celebration of Life” Service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at the Folly Beach Baptist Church, 77 Center Street, Folly Beach, SC 29439. The dress code is “Beach Casual.”

If you would like to share pictures to be used in the photo collage that will run during the service, please email Blair Ann Young.