Touched by an Angel’s Della Reese dies at 86

Variety

Reese went from an R&B singer to a TV star. She was the first African-American woman to host her own talk show with Della in 1969. She also appeared in Chico and the Man in the 1970s before her most notable role, playing the heavenly samaritan Tess in more than 200 episodes of Touched by an Angel. “She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and pastor, as well as an award-winning actress and singer. Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people,” Reese’s family said in a statement. “She was a mother to me and I had the privilege of working with her side by side for so many years on ‘Touched By An Angel.’ I know heaven has a brand new angel this day. Della Reese will be forever in our hearts.”