Gospel singer Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston’s mother, no more

Whitney Houston’s mother Cissy Houston, who was a famous gospel singer, is no more. The award-winning singer died at the age of 91 today (October 8) in New Jersey.

Cissy Houston is a two-time Grammy winner who sang backup for Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. News of her death came out earlier in the morning as her daughter-in-law Pat Houston made it public. Cissy died surrounded by her family and was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease.

Pat Houston sharednews of Cissy Houston's death

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In a statement, Pat Houston said, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family. Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts. Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled.”

She added, “We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members.”

Cissy Houston startedher career in singing as a member of the gospel group Drinkard Four. She later formed the Sweet Inspirations alongside Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy, singing backup for Otis Redding, Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick.

As a solo musician, she released her debut album “Presenting Cissy Houston” in 1970, followed by a string of records over the years including her latest, 2012’s “Walk on By Faith.”

She sang backup on hundreds of recordings including Bette Midler’s 1972 debut The Divine Miss M. and Franklin’s Ain’t No Way. She lent her vocals for several records from Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Donny Hathaway, Wilson Pickett and many more.

Cissy Houston won Grammy twice

Cissy Houston won her first Grammy in 1997 for “Face to Face,” which triumphed in the best traditional soul gospel album category. Two years later, she won the Grammy in the same category for her album “He Leadeth Me.”