today cohost Sheinelle Jones is crying death of his 96-year-old grandmother, Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I announce the sudden passing of my grandmother,” Jones, 47, wrote. Instagram on Saturday, January 3. “She died early in the morning on New Year’s Eve at the age of 96. Anyone who knows me knows that ‘Grandma’, Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, was my world.”
He continued, “(She was) my best friend, my confidant, and my unapologetic cheerleader. In time, I will share the stories of how her advocacy changed the trajectory of my education and how she ‘lighted up’ when I told her in 5th grade that I wanted to be a news reporter. Her level of excellence was extremely high and her belief was extremely high when her affirmation was constant in me. the play.”
Jones also reflected on why his relationship with Brown was “extra special.”
The Today hosts have offered insight into how Sheinelle Jones has been coping with the death of her husband, Uche Ojeh. On May 23, Savannah Guthrie announced on the NBC morning show that Ojeh had died at the age of 45 after a private battle with the brain cancer glioblastoma. “There are no words for the (…)
“She was so attentive, beyond the backdrop of a very successful life of her own,” the TV reporter recalled. “Long before I was born, she was the first black woman elected to the board of education…she was notoriously *tough* and everyone knew it. Her mission: to make education equitable for all children. She was also a classically trained pianist and was the director of my church’s music ministry for as long as I can remember.”
Jones concluded, “Life is so precious, and I can’t help but be changed in the last year and a half. Heaven has gained a new choir director and our family – a new angel.”
Just seven months before Brown’s death, Jones lost her husband, Ojeh’s mind, in May 2025 after a battle with brain cancer.
Sheinelle Jones with her grandmother and mother.
Courtesy of Sheinelle Jones/Instagram“It is with deep sadness that we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our dear friend and today Co-host Sheinelle Jones has died after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma.” Savannah Guthrie announced during a May 2025 broadcast. “There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and her three young children. Uche was an amazing person. We all love him.”
In addition to Jones, Ojeh is survived by the couple’s three children: son Kayin, 15, and twins Clara and Uche, both 12.
Jones initially did not publicly disclose Ojeh’s diagnosis, but then paused today while undergoing treatment.
“I know I was strong, but I didn’t want to be so strong that I missed this blessing right in front of me (and) I missed the fight,” Jones said. during his return to today in September 2025. “(I didn’t want to miss) looking into his eyes because sometimes it was his oxygen.”
After more than a decade at NBC, Sheinelle Jones is (formally) bringing her talents to 10 a.m. with Today’s Jenna Bush Hager. Jones’ new gig was announced on Tuesday, December 9. Hager has co-hosted with Hoda Kotb for 5 years. Kotb surprised longtime fans when he announced in September 2024 his plans (…)
She continued: “I wanted to be proud (to be there for Uche), so that was the only reason I was like, ‘Okay, it’s time.’
Despite Ojeh’s initial hesitation, Jones proclaimed there was nowhere else she wanted to be but by her husband of 17 years.
“It was weird for me. I’ve been showing up at 3 in the morning for as long as I can remember, you know? But it was a beautiful time, and I’m happy to say I wouldn’t change it,” she said. “I had Christmas, I had every morning (and) I had New Years. I had every day fully. I was fully present. I fought for my joy and I fought to be there.”