Farewell to the Legendary Della Reese

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FILE - In this March 8, 1998 file photo, actress Della Reese, nominated for best dramatic actress for her role in the television series "Touched by an Angel", arrives for the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. 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," died at age 86. A family representative released a statement Monday that Reese died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in California. No cause of death or additional details were provided. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
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FILE - In this March 8, 1998 file photo, actress Della Reese, nominated for best dramatic actress for her role in the television series "Touched by an Angel", arrives for the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. 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," died at age 86. A family representative released a statement Monday that Reese died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in California. No cause of death or additional details were provided. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
FILE – In this March 8, 1998 file photo, actress Della Reese, nominated for best dramatic actress for her role in the television series “Touched by an Angel”, arrives for the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. 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,” died at age 86. A family representative released a statement Monday that Reese died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in California. No cause of death or additional details were provided. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

It’s a sad day. Actress Della Reese has passed away yesterday inside her California home at age 86 according to Variety. Reese was an accomplish jazz, pop, gospel singer in the 1950’s and 60’s and went on to become an even more accomplished actress on shows like Touched By Angel. In 1969 Della Reese became the first African-American woman to host a talk show when she launched Della.

“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.”

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