Della Reese, born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 6, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, was an American jazz and gospel singer, actress, and ordained minister. She began her career as a singer at a young age, performing in church and later joining Mahalia Jackson's gospel group at the age of 13. Her career spanned seven decades, during which she released numerous albums and became a beloved television personality.

In the late 1960s, Della Reese hosted her own talk show, "Della," making her the first black woman to host a television variety show in the United States. She also starred in several films, including "Harlem Nights" (1989) and "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" (1996).

However, she is perhaps best known for her role as Tess in the television series "Touched by an Angel," which aired from 1994 to 2003.

Her musical career included hits like "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me," which featured in the US Top 100 and US Cashbox charts. She released 18 studio albums throughout her career and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. She was also an ordained minister and composed the theme song for "Touched by an Angel," titled "Walk With You."

Della Reese passed away on November 19, 2017, at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of music, television, and faith.