Bobby Brown spoke for the first time about the passing of his former mother-in-law, Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston. 

On Monday (Oct. 7), the former New Edition singer and his wife, Alicia Etheredge-Brown, released a statement to PEOPLE. "Sending love and blessings to the Houston family on this great loss," it read. "May she rest in Peace and Power. The Browns."

The Grammy-winning gospel icon’s death was confirmed that same day by her daughter-in-law Pat Houston on Instagram. “It saddens my heart to announce the passing of my beloved Queen Cissy Houston today! Please keep the Houston family in your prayers,” she wrote.

According to PEOPLE, Cissy died at the age of 91 while under hospice care for Alzheimer's disease at her home in New Jersey. “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” she told the outlet. “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."

Pat added, "Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled . We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us. May she rest in peace, alongside her daughter, Whitney and granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and other cherished family members."

Bobby and Whitney shared a widely publicized and often turbulent relationship. The pair met in 1989 and eventually tied the knot in July 1992. During their 14-year marriage, they welcomed a daughter, Bobbi Kristina. However, they ended up divorcing in April 2007.