Black Internet mourns the loss of Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston

On Monday, October 7th, Cissy Houston – the mother of late music icon Whitney Houston, has passed away 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 as she was receiving hospice care for her Alzheimer's disease. She was 91 years old.

As the shocking news circulates online, many took to social media to express their condolences, adoration and all-encompassing love for the musical matriarch who not only gave birth to one of the greatest singers of our time, but has an illustrious singing career of her own could . Sings for other music greats like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and more NBC NewsHouston won her first Grammy in 1997 and a second the following year.

Houston's death comes just 12 years after the death of Whitneywho died in 2012 and nine years after her death Granddaughter Bobbi Kristinawho died in 2015.

“RIP Cissy Houston. She gave birth to more than just one of the greatest singers. Ms. Cissy/the Sweet Inspirations sang as a background singer for CLASSICS. Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Lou Rawls, Van Morrison, Dusty Springfield, Elvis, Chaka Khan… That's Cissy in Aretha's “Ain't No Way”! Unsung”, wrote a user on X/Twitter.

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

“A voice that transcended time, a legend and the mother of one of music's most famous voices: Whitney Houston. Rest in paradise, Cissy Houston. Thank you for enriching this world with your strength and grace. We will always remember you.” wrote another user.

“Cissy had her faults, but the reality is that we wouldn't have Whitney's talent without her. Aside from just being her mother, she physically taught Whitney how to sing and how to act like a professional.” another said.

“One of my favorite videos to rewatch is this one where Whitney and Cissy sound like pure angels together. Rest well, Miss Cissy Houston. What a life you have lived and witnessed,” 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 into glory. They are back together, along 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 love during our deep time of grief. “We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.

The root extends condolences to the family of Cissy Houston and all who knew and loved her.