Actress and singer Della Reese has died at the age of 86. She was best known for "Touched By An Angel," though she rose to fame in gospel and R&B in the early 1960s. | NBC News

Celebrate the unforgettable Della Reese, born on this day in 1931, with her 1962 album ‘The Classic Della,’ available digitally for the first time: LegacyRecordings.lnk.to/DellaReeseTCD!FB | Legacy Recordings

Before she ever uttered the words, “I’m an angel, sent by God,” Della Reese had already lived a life of divine assignment. Born Delloreese Early, she wasn’t just a powerhouse singer with a voice that could shake rafters—she was a woman deeply rooted in faith. From gospel to jazz, Vegas stages to church pulpits, Della was always led by something greater. But Touched by an Angel wasn’t just another acting gig—it was a calling. Della said God spoke to her spirit and told her: “This is your assignme