The City of Denton has officially removed a racially discriminatory clause from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Cemetery Deed, reinforcing the city's dedication to equality and respect for all its residents. The correction follows a landmark ruling by Judge Crystal Levonius of the 481st Denton District Court on June 11, 2020, striking down the exclusionary language that barred the burial of non-white individuals in the cemetery. In a move to formally eradicate the clause, the City and the IOOF collaborated to sign and file a Correction Deed on June 17, thus amending the original deed, as reported by the City of Denton, Texas.

In 2016, the Denton City Council sought to directly address and ultimately nullify the impact of such covenants by declaring them unenforceable on City-owned properties. The city's efforts received a legislative boost in 2021 when the Texas Senate passed SB 30, which laid out a legal framework to remove discriminatory language from property deeds. "We are committed to keeping Denton a place where everyone feels welcome and respected," City Manager Sara Hensley stated, as per the City of Denton, Texas. "Removing this language is an important step in creating a community that reflects our values of equality and inclusivity."

The IOOF Cemetery has been under the City of Denton's management since 1933 and is currently overseen by the Parks and Recreation Department. The cemetery was initially established by an 1859 land donation from James A. Smoot, a member of Denton's IOOF. The organization itself dates back to its founding in London, England, in 1748 and has a history spanning centuries.