Judy Gayle Vick

Ms. Judy Gayle Vick, 79, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Born on December 22, 1946, in Monroe, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late William Edward Vick Jr. and the late Margie Mangum Vick.

Judy is survived by her brother, Eddie Vick of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; her sister, Vickie Vick Porter and her husband, Rick, of Liberty Hill, South Carolina; and her nephew, Rich Porter of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by her dear friend, Gene Sistare; her beloved canine companions, Bella and Ranger; and countless friends and members of the Carolina Shag community who became like family to her.

Judy grew up in Lancaster, where she was a cheerleader and majorette at Lancaster High School before attending Winthrop College. These sideline skills eventually blossomed into a lifelong passion for Carolina Shag dancing. She treasured her time at Ocean Drive, where she became deeply involved in the Shag community while also helping establish the Lancaster Shag Club.

Throughout the years, Judy dedicated herself to promoting and preserving the Carolina Shag. She served in numerous leadership roles, including President of the Lancaster Shag Club, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC), Past ACSC Chairman, Society of Stranders (SOS) Board Member and Board Advisor, and ultimately SOS President. Her unwavering commitment to the dance and its community earned her many distinguished honors. She was inducted into the Charlotte Area Shagging Hall of Fame, received the SOS Lifetime Achievement Award and the ACSC/SOS Fellows Award, and was recognized as an ACSC Icon.

The family will receive friends at the home of her sister, Vickie Porter, at 71 Retreat Lane, Liberty Hill, South Carolina, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 19, at 11:00 a.m. at the OD Arcade, 100 South Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Judy was a tireless advocate for the promotion and preservation of the Carolina Shag. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping raise funds to establish the Dr. Phil Sawyer Endowment Fund at the University of South Carolina, which provides scholarships to students with an interest in the Carolina Shag.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Phil Sawyer Endowment Fund (B11232). Checks should be made payable to the USC Educational Foundation and mailed to: University of South Carolina, 1600 Hampton Street, 7th Floor, Columbia, SC 29208, Attn: Gift Processing, or https://donate.sc.edu/direct-your-gift and search under Direct Your Gift.

Lancaster Funeral Home & Cremation Service is serving the family.