Cissy Houston’s family is ‘devastated’ by her death… 12 years after her daughter Whitney Houston passed
Cissy Houston’s family is ‘devastated’ by her death.
The Grammy-winning matriarch, whose glittering career saw her sing alongside icons such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, died Monday morning at her home in New Jersey.
Her death came after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease led to her being placed under hospice care.
A source has since told People how her loved ones have been left reeling from her death: “The family is going through a tough time. They are getting through it, but it is very difficult now.”
The insider added that Cissy — who adopted the stage name after being born Emily Drinkard — lived a “long, blessed life.”
Cissy Houston’s family is ‘devastated’ by her death. The Grammy-winning matriarch, whose glittering career saw her sing alongside icons such as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, died Monday morning at her home in New Jersey.
A source has since told People how her loved ones have been left reeling from her death: “The family is going through a tough time. They are getting through it, but it is very difficult now.” Seen with Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick in 1987
In addition to being the mother of the tragic singer Whitney – who accidentally drowned in a hotel bath in 2012 at the age of 48 after years of drug abuse – Cissy was an aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.
She began her singing career in 1938, joining her sister Anne and two brothers Larry and Nicky in a group called the Drinkard Four.
Cissy’s death was confirmed on Monday by her daughter-in-law Pat Houston, who said in a statement: ‘Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.
“Mother Cissy has been a strong and prominent figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared deeply about family, ministry and community.
“Her career in music and entertainment spanning more than seven decades will remain at the forefront of our hearts.”
Cissy’s musical career also saw her join the vocal group The Sweet Inspirations, with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee.
Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston at the 14th Annual American Music Awards in 1987
Bobbi Kristina Brown, Nick Gordon, Pat Houston, Gary Houston, Cissy Houston and Michael Houston at Sparkles in 2012
They sang backup for a variety of soul singing legends, including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, the Drifters and Dionne Warwick.
The group also appeared on Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl hit and sang background vocals for the Jimi Hendrix Experience – on the song ‘Burning of the Midnight Lamp’.
Her final performance with the Sweet Inspirations came after the group joined Elvis on stage for his famous Las Vegas show in 1969.
Cissy’s two Grammys came for her albums ‘Face to Face’ and ‘He Leadeth Me’, after years of singing gospel.