Drug addiction
Gospel music
Cissy Houston, born Emily Drinkard on September 30, 1933, recently passed away on October 7th. While she is widely remembered as the mother of singer and actress Whitney Houston, Cissy also made her own significant contributions to soul and gospel music.
The Sweet Inspirations
Cissy was a member of the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations and provided backup vocals for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and other prominent singers.
Two Grammy Awards
She won two Grammy Awards for her work in the Traditional Gospel Album category.
After undergoing hospice
Cissy Houston passed away at her residence in Newark at the age of 91 after undergoing hospice care due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Married Freddie Garland
Cissy married Freddie Garland in 1995 and they welcomed their son named Gary Garland in 1957. He later became an NBA player.
Had two children
In 1958, Cissy met John Russell Houston Jr. and they had two children, Michael and Whitney. Cissy’s first marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 1964 and she married John.
Drug addiction
Cissy and John separated in 1977, but remained married until 1991. Their daughter Whitney rose to prominence as a singer, but faced significant challenges with drug addiction.
Court order
Cissy used help from law enforcement for an intervention. Cissy received a court order to encourage Whitney to enter treatment at Hope For Women Residential & Therapeutic Services in Atlanta, Georgia.
Criticized the media
At the time, Cissy criticized the media: “The media are awful. People have come from here and there, [and they] don’t know what they’re talking about. People I haven’t seen in 20 years … Here they come, [they] think they know everything, but that’s not true. But God has His way of taking care of all of it, and I’m glad I know that.”
Tragically died
Cissy’s daughter Whitney tragically died at 48 years old while at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on February 11, 2012.