During her career, she sang together with greats such as Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. She was also part of the group Sweet Inspirations, which received the American music award Grammy in 1997 and 1999.
Cissy Houston also experienced how her daughter, Whitney Houston, became one of the world's greatest artists only to succumb to drug abuse.
The mother contributed to Whitney Houston's debut album and sang a duet with her in "I know him so well" from 1987. The pair often performed together at concerts and the video for "Greatest love of all" was filmed with them both as a mother-daughter tribute.
Cissy Houston had Alzheimer's disease and was cared for at a home in New Jersey, where she passed away with her family by her side.
Our hearts are filled with pain and sorrow. We have lost the family's matriarch, says her daughter-in-law Pat Houston.
