Sheinelle Jones Mourns Loss of Grandmother Days After Anniversary of Husband's Death
Today cohost Sheinelle Jones is grieving the loss of her 96-year-old grandmother, Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown.
“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I share the unexpected passing of my grandmother,” Jones, 47, wrote on Instagram Saturday, January 3. “She passed away early in the morning on New Year’s Eve at the remarkable age of 96. Everyone who knows me understands that ‘Grandmama,’ Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, was my entire world.”
She continued, “[She was] my dearest friend, my trusted confidante and my unwavering supporter. In time, I will recount the stories of how her advocacy dramatically shaped my educational journey, and how she ‘glowed’ when I told her in the fifth grade that I aspired to be a news reporter. Her standards were exceptionally high — but I was motivated by her belief in me and constant encouragement when I demonstrated dedication to my work.”
Jones further reflected on why her bond with Brown was “particularly special.”
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“She was incredibly attentive, despite leading a remarkably successful life of her own,” the television reporter recalled. “Long before I was born, she was the first Black woman elected to the board of education … she was famously determined and everyone recognized it. Her mission — to ensure equal opportunities in education for all children. She was also a skilled pianist, and served as the director of the music ministry at my church for as long as I can remember.”
Jones concluded, “Life is incredibly precious, and I can’t help but feel transformed by the past year and a half. Heaven has welcomed a new choir director, and our family — a new guardian angel.”
Just seven months prior to Brown’s passing, Jones experienced the loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, in May 2025, following a battle with brain cancer.
“With profound sorrow, we announce this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our cherished friend and Today cohost Sheinelle Jones, has died after a brave fight against an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Savannah Guthrie announced during a May 2025 broadcast. “There are no adequate words to express the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an exceptional person. We all deeply loved 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 did not initially publicly reveal Ojeh’s diagnosis but took a temporary break from Today while he received treatment.
“I knew that I needed to be strong, but I didn’t want to be so strong that I missed this precious time right in front of me [and] that I missed the struggle,” Jones said during her return to Today in September 2025. “[I didn’t want to miss] looking into his eyes, because I was his source of strength sometimes.”
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She continued, “I wanted to be proud of [being there for Uche], so that was the sole reason I thought, ‘It’s time.’ I always knew I would recognize when it was necessary to step away from work for a moment — and he wasn’t particularly pleased when I told him I was going to take a leave of absence.”
Despite Ojeh’s initial reservations, Jones emphasized that there was no other place she desired to be than by her husband’s side, after 17 years of marriage.
“It was unusual for me. I’ve been waking up at 3 a.m. for as long as I can remember, you know? But it was a beautiful period, and I’m grateful I can say I wouldn’t trade it,” she said. “I had Christmas, I had every morning [and] I had New Year’s. I had all the days completely. I was fully present. I championed my joy, and I championed being present.”
