• Faith: Christian
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  September 30, 1933
• Date of Death:  October 07, 2024

Cissy Houston was a soul and gospel singer. She was a founding member of the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations, and sang backup for artists such as Roy Hamilton, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan. Houston embarked on a solo career in 1970, and won two Grammy Awards in the Traditional Gospel Album category. Houston was also the mother of singer and actress Whitney Houston, the aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

Born Emily "Cissy" Drinkard on September 30, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Cissy was raised in a household that valued both music and religion. Her father, a factory worker, and her mother, a gospel singer, instilled in her a love for music and a strong sense of Christian values. Cissy’s exposure to gospel music began early, and she was introduced to singing in church, where her voice quickly garnered attention. By the time she was a teenager, Cissy was already making waves in the gospel world, influenced by her mother’s legacy and the thriving New Jersey gospel scene.

Cissy Houston’s professional career took off in the 1950s, when she joined the gospel group The Drinkard Singers, a move that connected her to the larger gospel community. Her talents were soon noticed, and she began working as a session singer for various artists in the 1960s, including soul giants like Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. Cissy’s ability to harmonize and deliver soul-stirring vocals led her to become one of the most sought-after background singers in the industry.

Her solo career also began to take shape, with her first solo album released in 1970. This blend of gospel, soul, and R&B showcased her versatile vocal range. Yet, it was her involvement in gospel music that remained her most passionate pursuit.

Throughout her career, Cissy Houston earned significant accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards. She won her first Grammy in 1998 for the album "He Leadeth Me," which captured the spiritual and gospel essence of her musical journey. Cissy’s work in the gospel and R&B world was lauded not only for its technical proficiency but for its heartfelt delivery and deep emotional resonance. Her vocal contributions to various artists' albums, including some of the biggest hits in pop music, further solidified her status as an indispensable figure in the music industry.

Her voice graced countless recordings, from background vocals on hit songs to full-featured performances in her solo works. Despite being a behind-the-scenes presence for much of her career, her influence on popular music remains undeniable.

Cissy Houston's life was not just defined by her music but by her deep love for her family. She married her childhood sweetheart, John Houston, in 1959, and together they had three children: Gary, Michael, and Whitney. Whitney Houston, born in 1963, would go on to become one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, known for her incredible voice and global impact.

Cissy’s relationship with Whitney was a complex one. While she was a strong supporter of Whitney’s musical endeavors, their personal relationship was marked by struggles with addiction and the pressures of fame. Cissy was known to be fiercely protective of her daughter, especially after Whitney’s untimely death in 2012.

Cissy Houston died on October 7, 2024, at the age of 91 surrounded by family in her New Jersey home, where she was under hospice care as a result of Alzheimer's disease.

Cissy Houston's Religious Beliefs

Cissy Houston’s Christian faith was at the center of her life, both personally and professionally. She was deeply committed to the gospel, and this connection was evident in both her music and her actions. Raised in the church, Cissy's belief in God and her faith in Christ shaped much of her career, particularly her focus on gospel music.

Her gospel albums, including "He Leadeth Me" and "Talking to the Lord," were not just artistic expressions but profound spiritual statements. Her music was an outpouring of her personal relationship with God, and her Christian values influenced how she approached both her career and her personal life.

For more than fifty years, Houston was the Minister of Music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. She was a driving force behind McDonald's Gospelfest, at which she regularly performed before her death.