Della Reese

Della Reese (July 6, 1931 – November 19, 2017) was an American actress, singer, and ordained minister who became a beloved television personality and cultural icon. Born Deloreese Patricia Early in Detroit, Michigan, she began her career as a jazz and R&B vocalist in the 1950s, recording several albums and performing regularly on radio and television. Reese gained widespread fame as the angelic character Tess in the long-running CBS drama 'Touched by an Angel,' which aired from 1994 to 2003 and became one of the most watched television series of the 1990s. Beyond her entertainment career, Reese was deeply committed to religious faith, eventually becoming an ordained minister and gospel performer. She was also a trailblazer for African American women in television, breaking color barriers during an era of significant racial restrictions. Her warm, dignified presence and rich contralto voice made her a memorable figure in American popular culture, and she continued performing and preaching until her death at age 86.