Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 31, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Barry Robert Collins, 76, passed peacefully while surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Barry was born June 20, 1947, in Mooresville, NC, to the late Charles Robert Collins and Ruth Beaver Collins. Barry was the middle child to older brother Jerry Steven Collins and younger sister Jenny Collins Belk. They grew up and had many memories of riding bikes and enjoying the outdoors together growing up in the small mill town.

Barry graduated East Mecklenburg High School in 1965 and went on to Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.  During his time as a student at Campbell, Barry was drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed near Munich, Germany in 1968 where he manned the mailroom for the troops at Handorf Airfield Base. After his service, he moved to West Virginia and then to Charlotte where he planted his roots. Barry worked for Carolina Frame and Trailer in West Charlotte for 15 years before moving to accounting with Belk Department Stores where he retired in 2013.

Barry was an active member at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, where he met the love of his life, Nancy Glenn Collins in 1978. The two were in a young adult fellowship class together where they were able to grow with each other and with God.  Barry and Nancy were married at the church where their love story began on July 14, 1979. After four years of marriage, they welcomed their first child, Brian Philip Collins. Four years later, they welcomed their first daughter, Christina Elizabeth Collins.

Throughout their marriage, Barry and Nancy were dedicated members of First United Methodist Church.  The church and church community provided a solid foundation for their family. Barry volunteered to assist with bookkeeping for the church throughout his retirement and enjoyed his contributions to the church as well as the relationships formed during his time there.

When Barry wasn’t at church or spending time with family and friends, he could be found in his yard keeping up with his plants and landscaping around the house.  He took pride in his plants, his yards, and was an avid green thumb.

In 2013, Barry and Nancy gained new titles of Grandma and PawPaw while welcoming twin grandsons Nathaniel John Collins and Samuel Aden Collins into the world.  Brian and his wife, Lysette Perez Collins, gave birth to healthy boys that are loved dearly by their grandparents.

Barry’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those that loved him.  He was a great son, brother, father, husband, cousin, uncle, PawPaw and dog Dad.

A service to celebrate Barry’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 7, 2024, in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment with military honors will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to First United Methodist Church, Memo: Muffin Ministry would be greatly appreciated. More information about the Muffin Ministry can be found here: https://charlottefirst.org/basic-needs or, Classroom Central, 2116 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208 https://classroomcentral.org/donate/

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.