In 1898, under a State Charter, government of the cemetery was centered on a Board of Director elected annually on a rotating basis and serving for five years. Thirteen women were to comprise the board with an Advisory Board of six men. The 1898 Directors were Mesdames G.B. Gerald, James I. Moore, Jennie Holmes, Waller S. Baker, A. Symes, Louis Crow, Richard Coke, J.G. Fall, M.C. Hutchins, W.A. Hamilton, Julia Boggess, J.W. Weaver and Mrs. Mollie Oliver. Also active in forming the first Board were Mrs. E.J. Ashburne and Mrs. M.B. Willis.
Executive Secretaries of Oakwood include, before 1936, Mr. P.M. Ammerman and Mr. W.L. Trice. Mr. W.A. Brown assumed the post in 1936 and continued until 1961 when Lanty Saffle succeeded him. Mr. Saffle came to Oakwood in 1936 and rose to Sexton in 1940. In 1961 he became Executive Secretary. Mr. Saffle’s careful planning and management brought about new water lines, surfacing of streets, fencing of the property and acquisition of all available adjoining property with development of same.
