‘Touched By An Angel’ Star Della Reese Has Passed Away

Singer and actress Della Reese passed away in her California home Sunday night. She was 86.

Heaven has a brand new angel Della today 🕊🕊🕊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 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. 🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊

A post shared by Roma Downey🦋 (@romadowney) on Nov 20, 2017 at 10:04am PST

Beloved singer and actress Della Reese, best known for starring in “Touched By an Angel,” died Sunday night … according to her family.

Della had battled diabetes for years. Her family says she passed away in her California home.

She co-starred with Roma Downey on ‘Angel’ … playing Tess. She had big movie roles too, like “Harlem Nights” and “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” — and was the first black woman to guest host “The Tonight Show.”

Della was also an accomplished gospel singer — Mahalia Jackson discovered her. She went on to become an ordained minister in the 1980s.

She once told me, "When life hands you a lemon? Make yourself a Margarita and move on with your head up!" Thank you for the wisdom. Thank you for your service to the industry. I applaud you!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾RIP Della Reese pic.twitter.com/h8qPHBx7Lr

— Frederick Owens (@owensbfrederick) November 20, 2017

When I was little, I use to look up to the sky expecting to see Della Reese's face. I often watched Touched by an Angel. RIP.

— Yannick (@uconndoityo) November 20, 2017

Della Reese, star of TV's 'Touched By An Angel,' dies at 86. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/thYU0rQ0Gy

— Jemisha (@JemiSHaaaZzz) November 20, 2017

RIP:Della Reese age 86. Loved you in Touched by an Angel pic.twitter.com/Kc183KROy4

— Denise Peters (@peachez1961) November 20, 2017

wow, R.I.P Della Reese. ❤️

— marie'r o s e e e🍂 (@AnqelMarie_) November 20, 2017

Oh my heart! Rest in Peace,Miss Della Reese!!!😢😢😢😢

— Sheila Clarke (@Chelly74) November 20, 2017

Rest in Peace Della Reese truly one of the greats of all time and now you got your wings. You will be truly missed. #Legend #Icon #soul pic.twitter.com/VO94HaSEFX

— Kenwar (@Kenwar950) November 20, 2017

RIP.