Doris P. Cantrell

1932 - 2026

Doris P. Cantrell
12/09/1932 - 01/14/2026
CANTRELL, DORIS PHYLE - died Wednesday, the 14th of January, 2026, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 93. She was born the 9th of December, 1932, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Helen and Taylor Phyle. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Franklin M. Cantrell, her parents and her sister, Jean Phyle. She was married to her husband for 59 beautiful years. She had four children, Lee C. Williams, Franklin M. Cantrell III, Gregory T. Cantrell and Elizabeth J. Cantrell.
Doris Cantrell was a true southern 'class act', humble, a leader, and independent. She had a unique ability to 'do it all' and had an unforgettable presence. She dedicated her life to family and home having lived in Knoxville, St. Louis, and moved to Houston in 1968.
As the founder of Cantrell Restoration and Doris Cantrell Antiques, Doris was one of the original Texas restoration talents who took 100+ year old historic homes and restored them to their original beauty. Her keen eye developed at a young age where she watched her parents restore various homes throughout her childhood. She created such a reputation and following that she was featured on the 'Eyes of Texas' for all the homes she restored throughout her lifetime, along with Architectural Digest in capturing several of these projects. As she continued to grow in her talent, she became the 3rd largest collector of Texas antique furniture.
In addition, she was an active and contributing member of the Heritage Society where she was a key designer and curator in overseeing the renovations of several homes, preserving and maintaining their early Texas frontier architecture.
For those who knew Doris, she embodied a lifestyle and brand that was uniquely hers. Her sense of style was only one of her many components in life. She loved fashion, impeccably outfitted for all occasions, and even graced several runways in her beloved Chanel attire. Conversely, she was active and wasn't shy of rolling up her sleeves at the farm.
She was an active member at St. Phillip Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. Her grandchildren called her 'Mama Doris' and included Ashley, Amy, Franklin IV, Griffin, Taylor, Kennedy, Grant, Abigail, April. Great-grandchildren include Hudson, Wesley, Gage, Franklin V, Elle, Grayson, Boone, Barbara, Gage, and Ryleigh.
Family will hold a private ceremony in the Texas hill country, where she will join her late husband, and be forever surrounded by her accomplishments and the countryside that reminded her of her original Tennessee roots.