With profound sorrow, Gwendolyn Quinn, a representative for The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, announced the passing of Grammy-adorned singer and mother par excellence, Cissy Houston, at the age of 91. Embraced by her loving family, she peacefully departed this world on Monday, at 10:30 a.m. ET, while under the compassionate care of hospice, where Alzheimer's had gently yet relentlessly woven its threads.
"Our hearts ache with an immeasurable pain and grief as we bid farewell to the pillar of our family," lamented her daughter-in-law, Pat Houston. "Mother Cissy stood tall and resolute, a beacon of unwavering faith, deep commitment, and boundless love for her kin, her ministry, and the community she cherished. Her illustrious seven-decade journey through music and entertainment remains etched in our hearts forever."
Pat Houston's voice trembled with reverence as she added, "Her contributions to the annals of popular music and culture are unparalleled, a testament to her boundless talent and unyielding passion."
Born Emily Drinkard, the youngest among eight siblings to the esteemed Nitcholas and Delia Mae Drinkard, Cissy Houston's life was a symphony of resilience and artistry. Nurtured by the Newark Public School system and honed in the hallowed halls of New Hope Baptist Church, where she later ascended to the role of Minister of Sacred Music, her musical journey began at the tender age of five, when she joined her siblings in The Drinkard Four, a gospel ensemble that would later evolve into The Drinkard Singers.
Their harmonies echoed through Carnegie Hall and resonated at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957, preceding the release of their pioneering gospel album, "A Joyful Noise," on RCA Records in 1959 – a milestone achievement for a gospel group on a major label.
In 1963, Cissy Houston forged a new chapter with The Sweet Inspirations, a vocal ensemble that lent its golden voices to legends like Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, and many more, solidifying her status as a first-call backup vocalist. Her solo debut, "Presenting Cissy Houston," in 1969, was merely the beginning of a storied career that spanned ten solo albums, four compilations, and five collaborative efforts, earning her two prestigious Grammy Awards.
Collaborating with a tapestry of artists across genres – from Bette Midler to Beyoncé, Burt Bacharach to Chaka Khan, and even her own daughter, Whitney – Cissy Houston's voice was a veritable force of nature, weaving through melodies with unmatched grace and power.
The loss of Whitney Houston in 2012, at the age of 48, deeply scarred the Houston clan, yet Cissy found solace in penning her memoir, "Remember Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped," in 2013. During a poignant appearance on "The View," she shared her heartfelt desire for the world to know the real Whitney – a loving, generous soul, with flaws like any mortal, yet extraordinary in her essence.
Cissy Houston leaves behind a legacy that spans generations, including her sons Gary and Michael, and a myriad of grandchildren, including the late Bobbie Kristina Brown, who passed away three years after her mother, at the tender age of 22.
"We are immensely grateful to God for the precious years He blessed us with Mother Cissy," Pat Houston concluded on Monday. "Her life lessons are treasures we will forever cherish. May she find eternal peace, reunited with Whitney, Bobbi Kristina, and all our beloved family members who have preceded her."
