On Monday October 7 Cissy Houston, the mother of the late musical icon Whitney Houston, has died at her home in New Jersey. According to her daughter-in-law Pat Houston in a statement, Houston was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her death while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. She was 91 years old.

As the shocking news circulated online, many took to social media to express their condolences, adoration and general love for the musical matriarch who not only gave birth to one of the greatest singers of our time, but also had an illustrious singing career of his own. . Singing for fellow music greats like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and more per NBC NewsHouston went on to win her first-ever Grammy in 1997 and a second the following year.

Houston’s death comes just twelve years after the death of Whitneywho died in 2012, and nine years after her death granddaughter Bobbi Kristinawho passed away in 2015.

“RIP Cissy Houston. She has done more than produce one of the greatest vocalists. Ms. Cissy/the Sweet Inspirations sang backup on CLASSICS. Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Lou Rawls, Van Morrison, Dusty Springfield, Elvis, Chaka Khan…That’s Cissy on Aretha’s “Ain’t No Way”! Unsung,” wrote one user on X/Twitter.

‘Dang, Cissy Houston passed! I hope she is at peace and that Whitney, Bobbi Kristina and other family have greeted her. What a ship! What a talent!” said another.

“A voice that transcends time, a legend, and the mother of one of music’s most iconic voices, Whitney Houston. Rest in paradise, Cissy Houston. Thank you for gracing this world with your strength and grace, you will always be remembered,” wrote another user.

“Cissy had her flaws, but the reality is without her we wouldn’t have Whitney’s talent. Beyond just being her mother, she physically taught Whitney how to sing and how to be a professional,” another said.

“One of my favorite videos to rewatch is this one where Whitney and Cissy sound like pure angels together. Rest in peace, Miss Cissy Houston. What a life you have lived and experienced,” said another.

“Complex woman. one of the most underrated and important figures in the history of American popular music. I wrote so much about her for my Shine Bright. May Emily “Cissy” Drinkard (Houston) rest in peace with Whitney Elizabeth, Bobbi Kristina and her own mother, Delia Mae,” wrote Danyel Smith, former editor-in-chief of VIBE.

“I can only imagine how God, the angels and all of heaven stood in awe as Whitney serenaded her mother in Glory. They are together again, together with Bobbi Kristina. We thank you for that. Rest in peace, Cissy Houston. May your memory be a blessing,” wrote Candice Benbow.

“On behalf of the Houston family, we are touched by your generous support and your outpouring of love during our deep time of grief. We respectfully ask for our privacy during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.

The Carrot extends its condolences to Cissy Houston’s family and to all who knew and loved her.