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Thread: Della Reese, native of Detroit, dies at age 86

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    Della Reese, native of Detroit, dies at age 86

    LOS ANGELES - 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.

    Reese's co-star on the series, Roma Downey, said in a statement that the actress died peacefully Sunday evening in her home in the Los Angeles area. No further details were included.

    Before "Touched by an Angel" debuted in 1994, Reese was mainly known as a singer, although she had costarred on "Chico and the Man," "Charlie and Company" and "The Royal Family" and hosted her own talk show, "Della..."

    ...Reese grew up in Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood. She attended Cass Technical High School. Her singing career began in church when she joined the junior gospel choir at the Olivet Baptist Church in her hometown of Detroit. Soon she was singing at other churches, at civic events and on the radio.

    When Mahalia Jackson, known as The Queen of Gospel Music, came to Detroit, she needed a singer to replace a member of her troupe. She turned to Reese, who was only 13.

    Jackson was so impressed by the teenager's voice that she enlisted her for a summer tour, and Reese went on to tour with her for five summers. In later years she would remark that she would never forget what she learned from the legendary gospel singer, including "how to communicate with people through song."

    Reese is survived by her husband, Franklin Lett, and three children.

    https://www.clickondetroit.com/enter...dies-at-age-86

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to krystian For This Useful Post:

    Romans828 (11-21-2017), Valiant Woman (11-20-2017)

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    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Sad to hear. She was a remarkable woman, singer, and actress. RIH

    Mahalia Jackson saw something in her and hired her to sing in the group. Whenever men would try to pick-up the 13 year old Della, Sister Mahalia would send them off running!
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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    Administrator fuego's Avatar
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    I can remember her about as long as I can remember. :)

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    Senior Member Romans828's Avatar
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    I never missed an episode of Touched by An Angel

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