Very Sad: Whitney Houston’s Mom and Acclaimed Gospel Singer Cissy Houston Dead at 91…see what kill her

She was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease at the time, though it wasn’t specified if the form of dementia was directly responsible for her death.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” Pat told the publication. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives.

A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.” Before Whitney rose to fame, Cissy performed with the vocal group The Sweet Inspirations, which sang backup tracks for the likes of Otis Redding and Lou Rawls.

She ultimately pursued a solo career, recording more than 600 songs. Through the years, Cissy’s voice was heard on tracks alongside big names like Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Donny Hathaway, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack and her daughter, Whitney.

In 1997, Cissy won her first Grammy for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album Face to Face. She snagged a second Grammy the following year for “He Leadeth Me”.