If you are a 90s kid then you probably remember the spiritual television drama Touched by an Angel. The drama, which aired from 1994 to 2003, featured an elderly and wise angel called Tess (played by Della Reese) who used to assign Monica, a rookie angel, with human cases of people stuck at crossroads in their lives.
Della Reese became a common face that we all got to love and associate with angels. The drama was a huge milestone in the black community since it portrayed a black woman as an angel who was showing a white angel how to deal with spiritual issues.
Della Reese passed on at 86 years. COURTESY PHOTO
Della Reese unfortunately passed on Sunday at 86 years. The cause of death, however, has not been disclosed. It is reported that the film star died at her home in California surrounded by close family members.
Her representative, Lynda Bensky, confirmed her death noting, “We lost a magnificent woman who was a trailblazer in many ways.”
The late has received many condolence messages including one from Roma Downey who acted as Monica in Touched by an angel. “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. Rest in Peace, sweet angel. We love you,” she said.
Roma Downey (C) and Della Reese (R) pose on a poster for the 90s television drama ”Touched by an angel’. COURTESY PHOTO
Reese has been praised as an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, friend, pastor, as well as an award winning actress and singer who touched and inspired the lives of millions of people worldwide.
She also had a brief stint as a TV talk show host in the 1960’s and also starred in movies like Harlem Nights, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and Expecting Mary.
Reese is survived by husband Franklin Lett and children James, Franklin and Dominique. She was also mother to a late daughter, Deloreese.