Gospel Star Cissy Houston, Mother of Whitney Houston, Dies

Cissy Houston, the Grammy-winning gospel singer and mother of the late singer Whitney Houston, has passed away at the age of 95. Houston died at her home in her native New Jersey on Monday while in hospice care for Alzheimer's disease.
Born Emily Drinkard in Newark in 1933, Houston began her professional career at the age of five, joining her sister Anne and brothers Larry and Nicky in the family gospel vocal group, the Drinkard Four.
The group achieved early success, regularly performing at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark and signing a recording deal with RCA, becoming one of the first gospel acts to release an album through a major label.
In 1963, she formed the session group Sweet Inspirations with Doris Troy and niece Dee Dee Warwick, and they were hired to provide backing vocals for artists such as Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and Dionne Warwick.
That same year, she launched a solo career under the name Cecily Blair, recording secular hits such as "World Of Broken Hearts" and "One Broken Heart For Sale," among others.
She released her first solo album as Cissy Houston in 1970, featuring charting singles like "I'll Be There" and "Be My Baby."
Houston won a Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for "Face to Face" in 1996, followed by another Grammy three years later for Best Traditional Gospel Album.
In addition to her singing career, she served as the Minister of Music at New Hope Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
Tags : Whitney Houston cissy houston cissy houston news Cissy Houston funeral
Hot Trends
-
Crowder Undergoes Emergency Surgery Following Leg Injury
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Recent Accident Inspires Forrest Frank’s New Single "Lemonade (feat. The Figs)"
-
Mel Gibson’s Resurrection To Hit Theaters In Two Parts On Good Friday And Ascension Day
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Samantha Ebert Unveils "No One knows," A Heartfelt Anthem for Those Facing Unseen Struggles
-
Author and Adventurer JT Mestdagh Shares Inspiring Journey in New Edition of "No Bad Days"
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
-
MercyMe Collaborates with Country Music Superstar Walker Hayes on a New Version of "Oh Death"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Passion's "The Lord Will Provide"
-
The Final Season: New Film "The Senior" Tells A True Story of Redemption and Resolve
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bethel Music's "The Church"
-
Sadie Robertson Huff and Husband Christian Welcome Their Third Daughter
-
Lauren Daigle Announces New Single “Let It Be A Hallelujah” Releasing August 1, 2025
Most Popular
-
Crowder Undergoes Emergency Surgery Following Leg Injury
-
Chuck Girard, Founding Member of Love Song, Shares Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis
-
Recent Accident Inspires Forrest Frank’s New Single "Lemonade (feat. The Figs)"
-
Mel Gibson’s Resurrection To Hit Theaters In Two Parts On Good Friday And Ascension Day
-
Wanda Bell Launches LadyBellRadio.com 24/7 Gospel Music Platform
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
Samantha Ebert Unveils "No One knows," A Heartfelt Anthem for Those Facing Unseen Struggles
-
Author and Adventurer JT Mestdagh Shares Inspiring Journey in New Edition of "No Bad Days"
-
Lysa TerKeurst Remarries Two Years After Divorce
-
MercyMe Collaborates with Country Music Superstar Walker Hayes on a New Version of "Oh Death"
-
Here Are Lyrics to Passion's "The Lord Will Provide"
-
The Final Season: New Film "The Senior" Tells A True Story of Redemption and Resolve
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bethel Music's "The Church"
-
Sadie Robertson Huff and Husband Christian Welcome Their Third Daughter
-
Lauren Daigle Announces New Single “Let It Be A Hallelujah” Releasing August 1, 2025