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Cissy Houston: Road to the BET Awards 2012 - Her daughter was one of the most famous singers in the world, but Cissy Houston had a flourishing career of her own. Her legendary journey started in 1938, when she became part of her siblings' gospel group The Drinkard Singers. Keep clicking to follow Cissy Houston's road to the BET Awards 2012. (Photo: Redferns/GettyImages)

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Sweet Inspirations: 1963 - As her talent carried her beyond the gospel circuit, Houston formed a more modern singing group called Sweet Temptations with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. The group performed with some of the biggest acts of the 1960s and '70s, including Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley. (Photo: Ian Showell/Keystone/Getty Images)

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The Reign of Whitney: 1980s - Cissy's daughter Whitney's talent had been evident since she was a child, but after she released her debut album, she was a superstar. Cissy was right by her side in the early days of Whitney's career. (Photo: L. Busacca/WireImage)

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Double Grammy: 1997 and 1999 - After 60 years in the business, Houston was finally recognized by the Grammys and won two awards, nearly back-to-back, for her gospel albums Face to Face and He Leadeth Me. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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Performance at Luther Vandross' Funeral: 2005 - Houston gave a spine-tingling performance of "Deep River," backed up by a gospel choir, at her long-time friend Luther Vandross' funeral in 2005. (Photo: L. Busacca/WireImage for J Records)

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A Tribute to Dionne Warwick: 2006 - A 73-year-old Houston set the roof on fire at Dionne Warwick's 45th Anniversary Spectacular, held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on January 26, 2006. Houston performed "What the World Needs Now" to the packed house to commemorate her cousin, singing partner and friend. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Pizzello)

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Two Icons at the BET Awards: 2010 - When a cleaned-up Whitney Houston accepted the Entertainment Award at the 2010 BET Honors. Her tear-jerking speech was directed at her mother Cissy, who stood by her during her most tumultuous decade. There wasn't a dry eye in the house by the time Whitney got off the stage. (Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

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Keep a Child Alive Ball: 2010 - Houston and her daughter were as happy, and healthy, as ever when they attended Alicia Keys' annual charity gala in late 2010. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Walk on By Faith: 2011 - At 77, Houston showed no signs of slowing down and decided to get back in the studio to record her first album in fourteen years, the gospel record Walk on By Faith. The album was released less than a month after Whitney Houston passed away, and includes tracks such as "Living Shall Not Be in Vain."(Photo: MAXA/Landov)

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A Tribute to Whitney: 2012 - Houston's journey to the BET Awards will culminate in a tribute to her late daughter Whitney Houston. The iconic singer, whose career has now spanned eight decades, will be taking the stage for the first time in six years and joined by several of her fellow divas.  (Photo: Charles Eshelman/Getty Images)

Photo By Charles Eshelman/Getty Images