Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 2, 2026

Barbara Collins Metzler, 93, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on January 2, 2026. She was born on November 21, 1932, in West Wyoming, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Gladys and Raymond Collins. She grew up as the middle child between her two brothers, Walt and Sonny, in a close-knit family that taught her the strength of showing up for the people you love.

Barbara graduated from West Wyoming High School and went on to earn her degree in Physical Education and Home Economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1954. While serving as residence hall president, she wrote a courageous letter to the college president urging the school to fully admit Black students as residential students rather than limiting them to day enrollment. At a time when such advocacy was rare, especially for a young woman, her stance was extraordinary. It reflected the steady conviction that shaped her choices throughout her life.

Barbara began her career as a dietician at a Penn State-affiliated hospital before moving to New York, where she met her future husband, Edward E. Metzler, III. They married in June 1963 and later welcomed their daughter, Ellen. After their divorce, Barbara raised Ellen on her own, building a loving, stable home through sheer determination, resourcefulness, and an unwavering devotion to her child. In every community they joined, she built strong friendships that helped sustain her and became like family.

Barbara's professional life was defined by leadership, creativity, and a deep care for the people she served. She moved to Durham, North Carolina, where she worked at Duke University as the Cafeteria Manager on West Campus. Among her many responsibilities, she oversaw the athletes' training table, a role that delighted her and sparked a lifelong love of ACC basketball. Weekend games became a cherished ritual in her home.

During her years in Durham, Barbara helped create the "Single Again" group at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church. In the mid-1970s, forming a support community for divorced women was groundbreaking, a bold act of compassion and leadership at a time when divorce carried stigma and isolation. Some of the women she met there became her best friends.

Barbara later moved to Charlotte to become the Director of Food Services for IBM as the company began developing its North Charlotte campus. Her proudest professional accomplishment was designing and consulting on the construction of the large new cafeteria known as "301." Throughout her tenure at IBM, she also oversaw the Lobby, Mailroom, and Security departments, additional responsibilities she managed with her characteristic competence and care. After taking early retirement from IBM, she continued her career as Director of Food Services at Davidson College, where she led a team she loved - and who loved her right back. Barbara had a gift for knowing every employee personally and making each one feel valued."

"After retiring, Barbara embraced one of the greatest joys of her life: being "Nana" to her two grandchildren, Cecilia and Cole. She delighted in every moment with them, cheering their accomplishments, celebrating their milestones, and loving them with her whole heart.

Barbara's graciousness was one of her defining qualities. For more than 30 years, she hosted Thanksgiving for our family, a tradition she carried with quiet pride and boundless warmth. Her table was a place of comfort, laughter, and belonging, and the memories made there will be treasured always.

She also enjoyed traveling, including a memorable Danube River cruise in the late 1970s with stops in Romania, Czechoslovakia, Turkey, and beyond. Later in life, she was delighted to travel, with Scotland and Italy among the places she especially enjoyed exploring.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Walter Collins and Charles "Sonny" K. Collins; her nephew Clark Collins; and her grandnephew D. Elliot Meyer.

She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Zoutewelle, and son in law Martin; her beloved grandchildren Cole and Cecilia Zoutewelle; nieces Cindy (David) Meyer, Pam Rhodes, and nephew C. Kevin (Pam) Collins; grandnieces Louisa (Murphy Protzman) Meyer, Hope and Annabelle Collins; grandnephews Christopher (Laine) Rhodes, Jason Rhodes and Tucker Collins; and her cousin - more like a sister - Joan Poarch, along with Joan's children, whom Barbara held close. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from the Metzler family, whom she cared for warmly, and her very best friends, Holly, Mary Helen, and Cheryl, whose steadfast friendship enriched every chapter of her life.

Barbara will be remembered for her generosity, her fierce work ethic, her loyalty to friends, and her remarkable ability to turn an empty kitchen into a full dinner table in no time at all. Her apple pie, potato salad, and meat pie were legendary, but even more so was the love she poured into every meal and every person for which she cared.

A service to celebrate Barbara's life will be held on Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Christ Chapel, 4519 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226, with a reception to follow.

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