The Angel of Newark, Whitney Houston, Dies at Age 48

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The Angel of Newark as she was known when I worked for the Governor of New Jersey back in the 1980's came from a beautiful family grounded in religion and surrounded by love.

They were always willing to help out their home state in major events and it was an honor to meet her and her family during those years when she was a young 19 years old and she was becoming known and later beloved by the public.

From the start of her career more than two decades ago, Ms. Houston had the talent, looks and pedigree of a pop superstar. She was the daughter of Cissy Houston, a gospel and pop singer who had backed up Aretha Franklin, and the cousin of Dionne Warwick. (Ms. Franklin is Ms. Houston’s godmother.)

The Rev. Joe A. Carter of the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston got her start, Saturday night said: "She was a treasure on a global scale and, on a personal note, with our church family. We’re asking everyone to pray for her family at this hour. We’re asking all to respect them at this hour of grieving."

Carter said a prayer service will be held for Houston — a Newark native who moved to East Orange as a child and later lived in Mendham — at the church at 6:30 this morning and that she would also be remembered at 7:45 and 10:45 services.

Houston’s passing came on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards. From 1986 through 2000, she owned the Grammy stage, winning six awards and regularly performing on the show.

She set the standard for musical excellence and was an inspiration for a generation of top singers ever since.

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