Obituary
Alice Elaine Belote Belden
November 17, 1927 – April 27, 2022
Alice Elaine Belote Belden entered into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on April 27, at the age of 94. Born on November 17, 1927, in Jacksonville, Florida she was the third of six children born to Alice Clyde Clark and Tharpe D. Belote. Raised in Jacksonville, she attended Landon Junior and Senior High School where she was a Varsity Cheerleader and member of the famed Landon Lionettes. She attended Florida State College for Women (Florida State University) in Tallahassee. After returning to Jacksonville, she worked for the Internal Revenue Service. She married F. Richard O’Donoghue in 1947 and they had three children together (Judy, Ricky, and Bruce) before they divorced. Alice married Arthur (Art) W. Belden, Jr. in 1957 and moved to Orlando that same year. Alice and Art had one daughter (Janice) born in 1958.
In 1959 Alice and Art joined Saint Michael’s Church in College Park where they were active in the lay ministry. Alice was active in the Parent Teacher Association where her children attended school which included Lake Weston Elementary, Lake Silver Elementary, Robert E. Lee Jr. High and Edgewater High School. In 1965, Alice joined Art in the founding of Control Specialists Company in Orlando. She served as the company bookkeeper, human resources and payroll director, and corporate secretary for 25 years.
Alice and Art were touched by the Holy Spirit and became active in the renewal movement of the Episcopal Church. They were part of “Faith Alive” and traveled the state of Florida as team members. They were invited to be among the first Episcopalians in the Diocese of Central Florida to attend “Cursillo” where they were part of the growth and leadership of this movement. In 1980, Alice and Art became members of All Saints Church in Winter Park and remained members for 30 years. They were part of the founding team of the Healing Ministry at the Glennon House, actively involved, and truly discovered their purpose and passion in this ministry. They returned to St. Michael’s Church in 2011 where they worshipped and stayed active until Art’s passing in 2019.
Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur W. Belden, Jr.; her daughter, Judy Elaine O’Donoghue Batterson; her son, Fredrick Richard O’Donoghue, Jr.; her brother, Gerald I. Belote; her sister, Sara Lee Belote Moyer and her parents, Alice Clyde Clark and Tharpe D. Belote. She is survived by her son, W. Bruce O’Donoghue (Leigh) in Orlando; her daughter, Janice Belden Subers (Jim) in Laramie, Wyoming; her brothers, Tharpe D. Belote, Jr in Orlando and Julian F. Belote in Ponte Vedra, Florida; and her sister, Eileen Belote Buckner in Orlando. Alice has (8) grandchildren and (10) great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Michael’s Church located at 2499 N. Westmoreland Drive, Orlando, FL 32804. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Alice’s honor to Vision Orlando, www.VisionOrlando.org
At that time I was pregnant and staying 3 months or so at Mama and Daddy’s, LuAnn was sick and dying. Our parents were understandably stressed. There were trying moments and when I just had to get away one time, I went to Alice’s. They lived a few houses away on Ardsley. And she listened and shared and I’ll never forget her acceptance and love.
I rejoice with all of the followers of Jesus who knew Alice and with all the saints in the heavenly Kingdom who welcomed her and most especially Jesus who most surely would have led the applause. She was one of the most faithful of all God’s people here on earth, and she left behind a great heritage of family and friends who were inspired by her example. Katrina and I extend our condolences and the assurance of our prayers. Fr. Dave
Alice was a great woman and a great and special friend to my mom. The Wilkes family was blessed to know her -- for some 60 years.
What a legacy Alice has left you and all of us. Though she laid claim to all of you as her kids, she was my 2d mother and I so loved her & Art. They continue to be the central characters of so many faith stories I share with others. Oh how great is their love of Jesus, for each other and for all their family! I had hoped to be with her one more time in this life, but what a reunion we all will have someday!!!
Thank you for sharing your treasures with all of us. I am so very grateful and am a better woman because of their imprint on my life.
With His love & ours always
Cindi Sholander (on behalf of Mark, Josh, Thea & Sam)