Della Reese will be forever in our hearts." Reese's singing career began in church, when she joined the junior gospel choir at the Olivet Baptist Church in her hometown of Detroit.

LOS ANGELES — Della Reese, best known for her work on "Touched by an Angel," has died at age 86. The actress and gospel-influenced singer found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the ...

Della Reese has covered a lot of ground in her 60-year career. She’s been a gospel singer, recording artist, nightclub performer, talk show host, film and television actress and — for the past ...

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, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama "Touched by an Angel," has died at age 86.

In the 1980s, Mrs. Reese had been ordained as a minister by the Universal Foundation for Better Living and founded the Understanding Principles for Better Living Church, a nondenominational ...

Della Reese, the actress and gospel-influenced singer who in middle age found her greatest fame as Tess, the wise angel in the long-running television drama "Touched by an Angel," has died at age 86.