“I could not have made it this far had there not been angels along the way,” divine words spoken by the legendary singer, actress, and ordained minister Della Reese. Best known for her illustrious singing voice and singature style, Della compelled audiences worldwide, singing various genres ranging from gospel, blues, R&B, and jazz . As a highly acclaimed actress, she is renowned for her role as Tess, in the long-running TV series Touched by an Angel. Della’s prominent career spanned more than six decades in the entertainment industry.
Della Reese, born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 6, 1931 in a the Black Bottom neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. Her father, Richard Thaddeus Early, was a steelworker. Her mother, Nellie Mitchelle Early was of Cherokee ancestry and made a living as a cook.
Della grew up in a deeply religious household, singing in her church from a young age. At the age of 13, she was hired to sing with Mahalia Jackson’s gospel group. She toured the group while also attending Cass Technical High School. At the age of 15, Della was the first to graduate from high school in her family.
After high school, she attended Wayne State University where she pursued a degree in Pyschology. During this time she formed her own all-female gospel group, the Meditation Singers. When her mother died in 1949, Della made the critical decision to withdraw from college in order to support her ill stricken father. However, Della’s stay was brief. She moved out that same year when her father took a new girlfriend. Right away she began working odd jobs and performing in night clubs. It was at this time, she shortened her name from Delloresse Early to Della Reese.
Della’s big break in music came when she won a contest that allowed her to sing at Detroit’s well-known Flame Show Bar. The prize for winning was a week-long performance gig in the club. However due to Della’s exceptional performance and growing popularity, her golden opportunity was extended from one week to eight weeks. A manager spotted her singing there, and she then moved to New York City, New York, and became a vocalist with the Hawkins Orchestra.
In 1953, she signed a recording contract with Jubilee Records, with whom she recorded six albums of mostly jazz standards. Later that year, she also joined the Hawkins Orchestra. Her first recordings for Jubilee were songs such as “In the Still of the Night” (originally published in 1937), “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and “Time After Time” (1947). The songs were later included on the album And That Reminds Me (1959) which was a top 20 hit.
Throughout the 1960s, Della released several albums and was a frequent performer on television variety shows. In 1969, she became the first Black American woman to host her own talk show, Della.
Her fame extended beyond her singing, and she began to transition into acting in the 1970s. Dellas’s acting career reached new heights in the 1980s, with roles in TV shows such as The Mod Squad, The A Team, The Bold Ones and in films such as Harlem Nights (1989) alongside Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor.
After coping with the death of one of her best friends, Redd Foxx, in 1991, she was reluctant to play the older female lead in inspirational television drama Touched by an Angel, but went ahead and auditioned for the role of Tess. However, her most beloved role came in 1994 when she was cast as Tess, a wise and compassionate angel in the CBS hit series Touched by an Angel. The show, which ran until 2003, was a massive success and introduced her to a new generation of fans. Della’s portrayal of Tess was inspiring and impactful, as her character guided and supported people in their moments of need.
In addition to her entertainment career, Della was an ordained minister. She was drawn to the ministry after recovering from a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 1979, an experience that strengthened her faith. In 1987, she became an ordained minister and later founded the Understanding Principles for Better Living Church in Los Angeles. Della blended her life as a performer with her spiritual work, often saying that her calling was to inspire and heal through both her music and ministry.
On November 19, 2017, at the age of 86, Della passed away, leaving behind a legacy of talent, grace, and spiritual inspiration. In 2017, Reese was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Quotes:
“God made me a believer so I could turn around and help others believe.”
“I could not have made it this far had there not been angels along the way.”
“When you really believe in God, it gives you a courage, a confidence that enables you to meet the things coming.”
“The Lord doesn’t give us what we can handle. The Lord helps us handle what we are given.”
“My mother was a personal friend of God’s. They had ongoing conversations.”
“When I sing, I feel His spirit. Music is my way of giving thanks.”
“We are here to bless each other, and I believe that every day is an opportunity to do just that.”
“You never know who is listening to your words or watching your actions. Be a light.”
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Della_Reese
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005343/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
- https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/reese-della-1931-2017/
- https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/della-reese-quotes
Credits:
Recreate Model: Sherrita Delacruz
Photographer & Editor of Recreated Photo: Jasmine Mallory
recreate.ink 