“Do you know Della Reese had a church while we were doing Harlem Nights?” Guy said while chatting with V-103 Atlanta’s Danie B on Feb. 12.

After previous marriages ended, Reese was wed to Franklin Lett, who became her manager and producer. She remained Della Reese as a performer and took the name Della Reese Lett for church matters.

Della Reese, born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 6, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, made history as a multi-talented artist and a groundbreaking figure in the entertainment industry.

White text above the image reads [PIANO/VOCALS/CHORDS VOLUME ONE / UNDERSTANDING PRINCIPLES FOR BETTER LIVING CHURCH / REV. DELLA REESE CHOIR SONGS / "Gettin' Up"] White text under the image reads ...

Reese moved on to RCA Records in 1959 and released the single “ Don’t You Know? ” which was based on music from Puccini’s opera La Bohème. The song reached No. 2 on the pop charts.