The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Autism Speaks at autismspeaks.org

Visitation is Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. Family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 8 at Vondel Smith and Sons Mortuary 6934 S. Western Ave OKC 73139

Pauline M. Belden, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully Sept. 3 at her Moore home.

She was born May 21, 1928 in Yahola, OK, Muskogee County to Velesta Mae (Bedford) and Henry Tedford. She grew up in Geary, OK, and attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University where she played basketball. After working as a waitress in Pasadena, California for a short time she returned to Oklahoma where she met the love of her life, Clifford Eugene Belden. They married May 28, 1949. They settled in the Captiol Hill area in south Oklahoma City where they reared their children and made wonderful neighborhood memories with the Caltons, Hills, Scotts and Belden relatives. While Clifford worked at the Capitol Hill Post Office, Pauline was actively involved in her children's lives, especially in baseball and Campfire Girls, making many trips with her daughter's group. After her children were in school she worked for 10 years at the Oklahoma Tax Commission. When both retired, they enjoyed traveling with their friends, the Starks and with the U.S. Federal Credit Union, where Clifford served on the board. She is preceded in death by her husband Clifford, her brother, Harvey Tedford, and many friends including Jim and Bobbie Stark.

She is survived by her sister, Bernyce Wanzor, Duncan; son, Doug; daughters and husbands, Paula Bowles (Bill); Sandra Ferree (Scott); grandchildren Dustin (Gabby) Belden, Elizabeth (Keith) Peters, Allison Bowles and Christopher Ferree and great-grandchildren Will Peters, Katie Peters and Emily Belden. She recently celebrated the one-year birthday of her great grandaughter, Emily. She also is survived by her "other family," the Starks and Winnards, with whom she shared every Thanksgiving. (She was known for making the best turkey and dressing.)

Pauline was a strong woman who loved garage selling, playing Bingo with her best friend Bobbie and going to casinos.

These last few months her caregivers from Interim Home Health and Hospice, including companion Michelle, aide Melissa, hospice nurse Kristi, home health nurse Desiree and many hospice employees shared that they loved their visits with Pauline and she was so appreciative of their care. She especially loved visits from her hairdresser, Patty, and was fortunate to have the best physician for many years, Dr. Ralph Guild.