Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 13, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Stavroula “Voula” Metaxas unexpectedly and peacefully passed away at her home in Pineville, NC the evening of Sunday, August 13, 2023, at age 85.  Bearing her father’s name, she was the youngest of five children born to Stavros Gerakoulia and Elleni Orphanidis on November 8, 1937 in Ilioupoli, Athens, Greece. 

Her mother was widowed when Stavroula was only one month old.  This was a tremendous challenge for Elleni who worked to support her children and extended family. As such Stavroula was influenced and guided by her eldest sister, Vaso. As a child she loved fashion, academics, music, American\British culture and playing with her older siblings, Demetri, Vaso (Anifantakis), Eftychia (Katsampas) and Léla (Nikitaki).  She was fearless, feisty and a dreamer with great aspirations.

Migrating to the United States in 1962 at the tender age of 25, Voula began her American dream in New Haven, Connecticut where she taught classical Greek at Hopkins School.  In 1970, Voula met her future husband, Denis and in a leap of faith the young couple moved across the country to the Diamond Heights district of San Francisco, California.  

Voula and Denis settled in San Mateo County, worked very hard, and within a few years they had started multiple successful automotive-related businesses and real estate ventures in the south bay towns of Burlingame and Hillsborough.

Voula was a spiritual woman of Greek Orthodox faith, in which she shared with her family and friends.  When she struggled to have children, after several devastating miscarriages, she leaned on her faith.  Praying and seeking guidance from Saint Stylianos, the patron saint of children yet to be born.  In 1975, she had her first and only son, whom she named Stellios in honor of her blessing.  She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.  Voula was a member of AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope and Philoptochos Society.

In 1995, the family moved to North Carolina where they would lay a foundation in Pineville.  She became a grandmother “Yiayia” in 2010 and loved every minute of her time spent spoiling her grandchildren, teaching and passing on Greek traditions. Voula took much pride in taking great care of her family.  A big part of that revolved around the togetherness brought by food and sharing a meal.  This was one of the many ways she showed her love and she was passionate about it. Whether it was keeping old family recipes going, arguing over how lamb should be properly seasoned, making enough tiropita where it was just about always on hand for those late night snacks, or generally wanting you to “just try a little bite of this”, there was never a time you left Yiayia’s hungry.

Voula appreciated fine quality and good service. She was strong and outspoken, always making her views known.  She preferred to drive German automobiles, had great taste in fashion and had an eye for antiquities.  She was an amazing cook and no one could quite figure out how to match her recipes, we think it was largely the amount of love she poured into them.  While we continue to try, no one will be able to beat her baklava or Easter magiretsa.

Voula is survived by her son, Stellios Metaxas and his wife, Natalie Stevison; her three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, Parker (13), John Peyton (11), Dionysios (5), Kaleigh (24) and Ava (14).  She was preceded in death by both of her parents and all of her siblings.  Voula was also an aunt, cousin, Godmother, confidant, supporter and best friend.  

Voula will be missed by all those she left behind, especially her loving son and grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 25, 2023, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

May her memory be eternal.

***ALL FLOWERS SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO THE CHURCH.***

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.