Delbert Rye, age 82, of Nanjemoy, MD died at home on July 17, 2014. He was born in Nanjemoy, MD on December 29, 1931.

Delbert was the son of the late Frank Adrian Rye and Nora Izetta Kendrick Rye. He was predeceased by his daughter, Debra Sue Greene Howe and 13 older brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Sue Palmer Rye; his sons, Bruce Wayne Rye, Kerry Frank Rye and his wife Amy Elizabeth and Kent William Rye and his wife Diana Thompson; 10 grandchildren, Wendy Owen, Amy Rye, Ben Greene, Steve Rye, Beth Greene, Lauren Rye, Tyler Rye, Katelyn Rye, Jake Rye, and Molly Rye; and three great-grandchildren, Justin Owen, Joey Owen, and Brayden Catlett.

Delbert was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, co-owned a floor sanding business with his brother Jesse, worked as a grounds keeper for the Charles County Government, and was a maintenance technician for the Charles County Library.

He was a devout Christian and deacon who taught Sunday School. He served on and led many committees, including the Cross Building Team that built 246 crosses for the Crosses Across America Ministry. Delbert loved the Lord and led many to Christ through his love, service, and example to others.

In his younger years, Delbert loved to play church league softball, yet his favorite pastime was planting, tending, and harvesting his large vegetable garden at his home in Nanjemoy. He enjoyed his self-service vegetable stand and loved to give away his surplus crops. Delbert was a caring family-oriented gentleman who loved to socialize with his friends and family. He had a great sense of humor and a fun-loving positive personality throughout his entire life. Delbert's friendship will be sorely missed by all.

Family and friends were received on Sunday, July 20, 2014 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM with a Prayer Service at 7PM at the Raymond Funeral Service Chapel, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, MD 20646 with a Funeral Service on Monday, July 21, 2014 at 11AM. Interment was at the Nanjemoy Baptist Church Cemetery.

For those desiring, contributions in memory of Delbert may be directed to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org), Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or Chicamuxen United Methodist Church, PO Box 2338, La Plata, MD 20646.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.