New owners at Blackwell Cemetery continue family legacy

Blackwell Cemetery is under new management intending to make the grounds more beautiful than ever.

Amanda and Steven Johnston took over the duties of the Blackwell Cemetery earlier this month, and for Steven, it wasn’t much of a surprise. 

His family has been managing the Blackwell Cemetery for generations, and this was something that had always been on the Blackwell native’s mind after spending his young adulthood working with his family at the cemetery. 

“We will be continuing many of the same strategies developed for the cemetery by previous generations,” said Amanda and Steven. 

“We will be developing a plan to help make ground maintenance less tedious, as well.” 

Currently, Steven is busy taking care of the grounds while Amanda is pouring over the cemetery’s records, digitizing them for preservation, which is as hard as it is important considering some of the plots date back to well before Oklahoma was even a state.

“Some of these date back to as early as the 1830’s,” said Amanda. 

The Johnstons said they are committed to Blackwell Cemetery’s beauty and making the grounds pleasant to honor the roughly 15,000 plots spread across over 40 acres. 

Anyone who wishes to help beautify the cemetery grounds is more than encouraged to contact the Johnston family at the Blackwell Cemetery, said Amanda. 

“If anyone would like to volunteer to help with anything they are always welcome to come and inquire,” she explained, “community service is also an option that we offer.”

The Blackwell Cemetery is open daily from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. in the summer and 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in fall/winter.

Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and their number is 580-363-3826