Cathon “Kathy” Ann Hodges Cantrell, age 88, of Amarillo, passed away on September 27, 2026, in Amarillo.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Kathy’s life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of First Baptist Church in Amarillo.

Kathy was born on June 29, 1938, in Hale Center, Texas, to Alvin and Edna Ponder Hodges. She graduated from Amarillo High School in December 1956.

Faith was woven into Kathy’s life from an early age. At eight years old, she accepted Christ and was baptized by Dr. Carl Bates at First Baptist Church. The Christian values instilled in her by her mother and nurtured through her church became the foundation upon which she built her life. She held firmly to those beliefs throughout her years, faithfully reading her Bible and allowing her faith to shape the way she lived, loved, and faced life’s challenges.

Following high school, Kathy worked at First National Bank of Amarillo. In May 1956, she married Bill D. Cantrell, and the couple moved to Twentynine Palms, California, where Bill served in the United States Marine Corps. Following his military service, they returned to Amarillo in 1960, where they made their home and raised their two daughters, Tonya and Julie. The couple divorced in 1966, and Kathy devoted herself to providing for her girls as a single mother.

Kathy was strong, independent, resourceful, and remarkably resilient. Whatever circumstances life placed before her, she met them with determination and an unwavering will to keep moving forward. She worked incredibly hard, doing whatever was necessary to make certain her daughters were cared for and provided for.

Her creativity and resourcefulness were evident throughout her life. After leaving her full-time position as a receptionist for an independent insurance agent in Amarillo, Kathy taught herself to wallpaper and paint the interiors of homes. She also took on ironing and housecleaning jobs, using her many talents and strong work ethic to support her family. There was very little Kathy was afraid to tackle..

Kathy never met a stranger. She possessed the wonderful ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone and genuinely enjoyed getting to know people. A simple chance encounter could quickly turn into a friendly visit, and her outgoing nature made people feel comfortable and welcome.

Always active and fiercely independent, Kathy especially loved riding her bicycle and continued riding well into her 80s. She also enjoyed visiting the Downtown Women’s Store, where she delighted in browsing through the treasures and seeing what she might discover.

Kathy also shared her love through the kitchen. Her chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin bread became family favorites and were among the many simple, comforting things that will forever bring her to mind.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Edna Hodges; her sister, LaVerne Coggins; and her brother, Jerrell Hodges.

She is survived by her daughters, Tonya Hartsfield and husband Ross of Austin, and Julie Cantrell and Sharra of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Sarah Kemp and husband Kyle of Lockhart, Texas, Bethany Wilkinson and husband Wes of Hutto, Texas, and Mark Hartsfield of Austin, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Jessie and Elliott Wilkinson and Kaeden Kemp; and her beloved grand-dogs, Henry and Gus.

The family of Kathy Cantrell would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all of the BSA staff, The Ware, and the BSA Hospice staff, for your love, concern, and care for our “CC”.

In lieu of flowers, any contributions can be made to First Baptist Church Women’s Ministry,1208 S Tyler St, Amarillo, TX 79101 or the Downtown Women’s Center, 814 SW 10th Avenue Amarillo, Texas 79101.