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. 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," Downey wrote in a statement. Legendary actress and R&B singer Della Reese is dead at 86. Reese, seen performing at a 2006 celebration for Dionne Warwick's in Hollywood, first gained fame as a singer. (John M. Heller/Getty Images)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."

Source: CBC News November 20, 2017 18:17 UTC