Cissy Houston’s family is ‘devastated’ by her death.
The Grammy-winning matriarch, whose stellar career as a performer saw her sing alongside icons like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, died Monday morning at her home in New Jersey.
Her death came after a battle with Alzheimer’s led her to receive palliative care.
Since then, a source has tole People on how his loved ones have been stunned by his death: ‘The family is taking it very hard. “They are overcoming the situation, but now it is very difficult.”
The source added that Cissy, who adopted the stage name after being born Emily Drinkard, lived a “long and blessed life.”
Cissy Houston’s family is ‘devastated’ by her death. The Grammy-winning matriarch, whose stellar acting career saw her sing alongside icons like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, died Monday morning.
A source has since told People how her loved ones were shocked by her death: “The family is taking it very hard.” They’re getting over it, but it’s very difficult right now.” Seen with Whitney Houston and Dionne Warwick in 1987.
As well as being the mother of tragic singer Whitney, who accidentally drowned in a hotel bathroom aged 48 in 2012 after years of drug abuse, Cissy was the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.
He began his singing career in 1938, joining his sister Anne and two brothers Larry and Nicky in a group called the Drinkard Four.
Cissy’s death was confirmed 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 imposing figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared deeply about family, ministry and community.
“His more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain in the forefront of our hearts.”
Cissy’s music career also saw her join the vocal group Sweet Inspirations, with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee.
Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston at the 14th 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 hit Brown Eyed Girl and sang backing vocals for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, on the song ‘Burning of the Midnight Lamp’.
His last performance with 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.
