(PHOTO/Cissy Houston) Twitter: @RapUpCissy Houston, 78, performs at the 2012 BET awards, in honor of her late daughter Whitney Houston

Cissy Houston's special tribute to her late daughter Whitney Houston was the emotional highlight of Sunday night's BET (Black Entertainment Television) awards show.

The 78-year-old, who has been out of the spotlight since Whitney's untimely death on Feb. 11, gave a rousing performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" while clutching a white handkerchief. The emotionally charged performance left the majority of the star studded audience weeping in tears.

The lyrics to the heartfelt ballad include "When you're weary / Feeling small / When tears are in your eyes / I will dry them all," and Houston's flawless performance received a standing ovation.

Viewers, including various celebrities, flocked to social networking site Twitter throughout the emotional tribute to weigh in on Cissy's performance.

"Wow!! Cissy Houston is soo amazing! Her courage to sing in memory of Whitney has truly moved me! #RIPWHITNEY I love n miss u soo much!" actress Vivica A. Fox tweeted.

"Cissy Houston is the epitome of strength. Her faith and trust in God allows her to know Whitney is finally at peace #BETAwards," Wendy L. Wilson tweeted.

"I never cried hard like this in ages!! Whitney tribute was just too much!! Ms. Cissy houston tore me apart!" Ananthu tweeted.

"Cissy Houston just broke my heart," Lauren tweeted.

"SHE made me CRY...oh my Gosh...Cissy Houston was absolutely wonderful! I would buy her rendition of "[Bridge] Over Troubled Waters"!!!" wrote TinaB.

(PHOTO/Cissy Houston) Twitter: @tan_buiCissy Houston meets Mariah Carey backstage at the 2012 BET awards

Singer Mariah Carey opened the tribute by speaking about fond memories of her friend Whitney.

(PHOTO/Cissy Houston) Twitter: @KarenCivilCissy Houston meets Kanye West backstage at the 2012 BET awards

Other singers including Monica, Brandy, Chaka Khan and Whitney's brother Gary Houston all took to the stage for their renditions of some of the late singer's classic hits including "I'm Every Woman" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."

Various celebrities including Beyonce Knowles and Melanie Fiona were all spotted weeping among the crowd as Cissy bravely took to the stage to sing for her late daughter.

Watch the tribute below.

BET Awards, Cissy Houston Sings for Whitney: Celebs Weep During Emotional Performance