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The Rev. DePriest Wolfford Whye Sr., 78, died July 6, at his home. The Rev. Eugene Matthews delivered the eulogy at the Celebration of Life Service July 11, at John Wesley UMC in Baltimore.

Whye was superintendent of the Washington East district from August 1984 until he was appointed to John Wesley UMC in Baltimore in 1990. He served in the Delaware, Virginia and East Pennsylvania conferences prior to coming to the Baltimore conference in 1979. He served Asbury UMC in Annapolis until beginning his superintendency. Whye retired in 1995.

Whye worked in many capacities in the church and community. He was associate secretary of the denomination's Quadrennial Emphasis Committee, director of the Office of the Black College Fund, served with the Council of Bishops for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was an adjunct professor at Howard University's School of Divinity.

He received the Howard C. Case award for outstanding achievement in theological studies from Boston School of Theology, and in 2007, its Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Community, the Nation and the World. He held an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Philander Smith College for his contributions to social welfare.

He and Ruth Carmichael were married in 1954.

Survivors include his wife; sons Dr. Depriest W. Whye Jr. and Brian Wayne Whye, both of Clarksville; and three granddaughters.

Condolences may be sent to Ruth Whye, 5765 Whistling Winds Walk, Clarksville, MD 21029.