Della Reese Biography Quotes 28 Report mistakes

Early Life and Roots in Detroit
Delloreese Patricia Early, known to the world as Della Reese, was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1931. Detroit's vibrant Black church tradition and thriving music culture shaped her childhood. She sang in church from a young age, discovering not only the power of her own voice but also the role music could play in community life. That grounding in sacred music and public performance became the foundation for a career that would span singing, acting, and ministry.

Gospel Beginnings and Mentorship
As a teenager, Reese's talent brought her into the orbit of gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. Touring with Jackson exposed her to professional standards of musicianship and the deep emotional vocabulary of gospel. Back in Detroit she sang with the Meditation Singers, honing harmonies and stagecraft within a respected gospel ensemble. These experiences forged her signature blend of warmth, authority, and interpretive poise, qualities she would carry into every phase of her career.

Crossing Over to Pop and Jazz
In the 1950s Reese began to move from church stages and gospel harmonies to clubs and recording studios, translating her gospel-inflected phrasing into jazz and pop contexts. Early singles led to national attention, culminating in the late-1950s breakout of "Don't You Know?", a dramatic, string-laden ballad that showcased her powerful range and control. Other songs such as "And That Reminds Me" and "Not One Minute More" confirmed her as a versatile interpreter equally at home with torch songs and swinging arrangements. She toured widely, appeared on national variety programs, and became a nightclub headliner, carrying Detroit's musical virtues onto some of the biggest stages in the country.

Television, Film, and a Second Career
Reese's charisma and timing made a natural bridge to television. In 1969 she hosted "Della", a daily talk show that placed her among the first Black women to helm a nationally syndicated program. The show brought her into conversation with entertainers and public figures and signaled her emergence as a cultural figure beyond music alone.

As an actor she built a substantial screen resume. She co-starred with Redd Foxx in the early 1990s series "The Royal Family", and her friendship with Foxx was deep and enduring. On film she delivered a memorable turn in "Harlem Nights", sharing the screen with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor and demonstrating a flair for sharp, comedic performance. Her most celebrated television role arrived in 1994 with "Touched by an Angel". As Tess, she anchored the series with quiet authority and compassion, working closely with co-stars Roma Downey and John Dye under the leadership of executive producer Martha Williamson. The show became a long-running success, and Reese's protective, wise presence onscreen mirrored the mentorship and friendship she offered Downey and others offscreen.

Ministry and Community Leadership
Parallel to her entertainment career, Reese answered a spiritual calling. She trained and was ordained as a minister, aligning with a metaphysical Christian tradition that emphasized practical spirituality. In Los Angeles she founded the Understanding Principles for Better Living Church, often referred to as UP Church, creating a congregation focused on positive, empowering teachings. Her work intersected with the Universal Foundation for Better Living, a movement shaped by leaders such as Rev. Johnnie Colemon, and Reese brought the same clarity of phrasing and sincerity found in her music to the pulpit. For many admirers, she became both a performer and a pastor, blending artistry with pastoral care.

Partnerships, Family, and Collaboration
Behind the scenes, Reese relied on close collaborators who helped her navigate a demanding career. Her marriage to Franklin Lett Jr., a producer and manager, provided both personal companionship and professional stability. In music and television she fostered loyal teams, valuing arrangers, bandleaders, and writers who understood her voice and her storytelling instincts. The bonds she formed on "Touched by an Angel" were especially strong; colleagues often described a family-like atmosphere anchored by Reese's steadiness and humor. Her friendships with performers from different generations underscored her status as a bridge between gospel roots, classic nightclub showmanship, and contemporary television.

Later Years, Health, and Public Voice
In later years Reese coped with health challenges while remaining publicly engaged. She continued to act, guest star, and sing, and she used her platform to encourage resilience and faith. As a pastor she counseled congregants and artists alike, blending practical advice with spiritual insight. Even as she stepped back from the rigors of touring, she sustained deep ties to Detroit's musical legacy and to the communities that first nurtured her.

Legacy
Della Reese's legacy rests on a rare combination of gifts: a voice that could soar and soothe; the stagecraft of a seasoned headliner; the kindly backbone of a mentor; and the moral clarity of a minister. She widened opportunities for Black women on television with "Della", proved the crossover power of gospel-rooted pop in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and became a touchstone of compassionate storytelling as Tess in "Touched by an Angel", alongside Roma Downey and John Dye and guided by Martha Williamson. Her friendship with Redd Foxx and work with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor reflected her ease in comedy and drama alike, while her leadership at UP Church signaled a commitment to service that matched her show-business achievements.

Passing in 2017, she left a record of excellence that continues to inspire singers, actors, and spiritual leaders. From the pews of Detroit to the spotlight of national television, and from recording studios to the pulpit, Della Reese stood as a model of persistence, dignity, and grace, sustained by the people who believed in her and by the communities she helped to build.

Our collection contains 28 quotes who is written by Della, under the main topics: Truth - Music - Friendship - Mother - Live in the Moment.