Gospel and jazz singer and actress Della Reese — co-star of the long-running CBS series “Touched by an Angel — passed away at her Los Angeles home on Sunday, Nov. 19, at the age of 86.
“Touched” star Roma Downey, now a prolific producer with husband Mark Burnett and digital entrepreneur with LightWorkers.com, released this statement:
On behalf of her husband, Franklin Lett, and all her friends and family, I share with you the news that our beloved Della Reese has passed away peacefully at her California home last evening surrounded by love. 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. 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.
And this tribute video, a scene from “Touched” that features Downey — who played the angel Monica — and Reese as Tess, her heavenly supervisor and mentor:
Downey also paid tribute on Instagram:
Reese’s last screen appearances were in 2014, on Hallmark’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” created by Martha Williamson, also the creative mind behind “Touched.”
She responded to Reese’s death on Twitter:
Image: Courtesy LightWorkers Media
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