Cissy Houston, Mom of Whitney Houston, Dead at 91

Cissy Houston, Mom of Whitney Houston, Dead at 91

As a devoted admirer of Cissy Houston, I find myself deeply saddened by the news of her passing. Her life was not just a testament to resilience and strength but also an ode to grace and humility. From her days with The Sweet Inspirations to her solo career, she left an indelible mark on the music industry.


The music world is mourning a tragic loss. 

Cissy Houston, the esteemed singer who brought up the late Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 91, as reported by her family to the Associated Press on October 7th.

In her New Jersey residence, Cissy took her final breath on October 7th, surrounded by hospice care as she battled Alzheimer’s disease – a condition characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and altered behavior – according to the report.

In a statement to the Associated Press on October 7th, Pat Houston expressed that their hearts are heavy with grief and sorrow. She revealed they had lost the beloved matriarch of their family.

Observing that her mother-in-law’s accomplishments in music were “remarkable without equal,” Pat continued by characterizing Cissy as a “powerful and influential presence” within their lives.

She was a deeply religious and steadfast individual, with a profound love for her family, her work in ministry, and her community. For over seven decades, her remarkable career in music and entertainment has left an indelible mark on us.

Cissy rose to fame in the 1960s as one-third of the R&B girl group The Sweet Inspirations, which also comprised Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. The trio earned acclaim for their work as backup singers for artists such as Otis Redding, Dee Dee’s sister Dionne Warwick, Van Morrison and Elvis Presley

Cissy Houston, Mom of Whitney Houston, Dead at 91

Throughout her lengthy career spanning several decades, Cissy has left an indelible mark not only as a backing vocalist but also as a solo artist. Born in New Jersey, she has lent her voice to more than 600 songs across various music genres during her sessions. Furthermore, she was honored with two Grammy awards for the categories of Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album, which she won for her solo albums Face to Face (1997) and He Leadeth Me (1998).

Cissy, known for writing books like “He Leadeth Me,” “How Sweet The Sound: My Life with God,” and “Gospel and Remembering Whitney: A Mother’s Story of Life, Loss and The Night The Music Stopped,” has openly discussed how her spirituality has provided strength throughout her life. In particular, she has revealed that her faith helped her navigate through the loss of her daughter Whitney in 2012.

In a 2013 book signing, as reported by USA Today, she expressed her firm conviction: “I am fully convinced of God’s existence.” She added, “Deep within me, I know that He deeply loved her, just as she adored Him, and my own love for Him is unwavering.

Cissy leaves behind her sons Michael Houston (from her marriage to John Russell Houston) and Gary Garland (from her relationship with Freddie Garland), in addition to her granddaughter Rayah Houston and her niece Dionne.

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2024-10-07 23:51