Cissy Houston, the legendary gospel singer and mother of the iconic Whitney Houston, left behind a legacy that spanned over seven decades when she passed away at the age of 91. According to her daughter-in-law Pat Houston, Cissy died peacefully in her New Jersey home surrounded by her family, while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Born Emily Drinkard in 1933, Cissy began her music career at the tender age of five, alongside three siblings in the Drinkard Singers. She later joined the Sweet Inspirations, a well-known vocal group that backed up soul singers like Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, and Dionne Warwick. During her time with the Sweet Inspirations, Cissy worked on several iconic projects, including Elvis Presley’s “Las Vegas” show and Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way”.
After leaving the Sweet Inspirations, Cissy goed on a solo career, recording over 600 songs across multiple genres. She was an in-demand session singer, collaborating with artists such as Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, and Jimi Hendrix. Her vocals can be heard on numerous tracks, including Burt Bacharach’s “Mexican Divorce” and Paul Simon’s “The Boxer”. Cissy’s achievements were recognized with two Grammy Awards for her albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me”, both in the best traditional soul gospel album category. She also wrote three books, including “How Sweet The Sound: My Life With God And Gospel”, which documented her journey in music and faith.
Cissy Houston (Image via Getty)
Throughout her life, Cissy Houston remained devoted to her family and faith, serving as the minister of sacred music at New Hope Baptist Church. Her marriage to Whitney’s father, John Russell Houston, lasted from 1959 to 1990, during which they had two children, Whitney and Michael. Cissy’s family, including her daughter-in-law Pat Houston, have requested privacy during this difficult time, expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. Pat Houston summarized Cissy’s legacy by saying, “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family, a woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.
