Cissy Houston's family is "devastated" by her death

A source has since tole People about how her loved ones have been left reeling by her death: "The family is taking it hard. They're getting through, but it is very difficult right now."

The insider added Cissy - who adopted the stage name after being born Emily Drinkard - lived a "long, blessed life".

As well as being the mother of tragic singer Whitney - who accidentally drowned in a hotel bath aged 48 in 2012 after years of drug abuse - Cissy was an aunt of singers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick.

She kicked off her singing career in 1938, joining her sister Anne and two brothers Larry and Nicky in a group called the Drinkard Four.

Cissy's death was confirmed on Monday by her daughter-in-law Pat Houston who said in a statement: "Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We lost the matriarch of our family.

"Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community.

"Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts."

Cissy's musical career also saw her join vocal group the Sweet Inspirations, with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee.

They sang backup for a variety of soul singing legends including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, the Drifters and Dionne Warwick.

The group also appeared on Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl hit and sang background vocals for the Jimi Hendrix Experience - on the song 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp'.

Her final performance with the Sweet Inspirations came after the group joined Elvis on stage for his famous Las Vegas show in 1969.

Cissy's two Grammys came for her albums 'Face to Face' and 'He Leadeth Me', after years of gospel singing.