Today cohost Sheinelle Jones is mourning the death of her 96-year-old grandma, Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown.
“It is with the heaviest heart that I announce the sudden passing of my grandmother,” Jones, 47, wrote via Instagram on Saturday, January 3. “She passed early in the morning on New Year’s Eve at the age of 96. Anyone who knows me, knows that ‘Grandmama,’ Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, was my world.”
She continued, “[She was] my best buddy, my confidante and my unapologetic cheerleader. In time, I’ll share the stories of how her advocacy changed the trajectory of my education, and how she ‘lit up’ when I told her in 5th grade that I wanted to be a news reporter. Her standard of excellence was extremely high — but I was fueled by her belief in me and constant affirmation when she saw me put in the work.”
Jones further mused about why her relationship with Brown was “extra special.”
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“She was so attentive, beyond the backdrop of a highly 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 the music ministry at my church for as long as I can remember.”
Jones concluded, “Life is so precious, and I can’t help but to be changed by 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, Uche Ojeh, in May 2025 after a battle with brain cancer.
“With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our dear friend and Today cohost Sheinelle Jones has passed away 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 that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.”
In addition to Jones, Ojeh is survived by the couple’s three kids: son Kayin, 15, and twins Clara and Uche, both 12.
Jones didn’t initially publicly disclose Ojeh’s diagnosis but took a hiatus from Today while he underwent treatment.
“I know that I was strong, but I didn’t want to be so strong that I missed this blessing right in front of me [and] that I missed the fight,” Jones said during her return to Today in September 2025. “[I didn’t want to miss] looking in his eyes ‘cause I was his oxygen sometimes.”
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She continued, “I wanted to be proud of [being there for Uche], so that was the only reason I thought, ‘All right, it’s time.’ I always knew I would know when it was time to get off the treadmill for a second — and he was not very happy with me when I told him I was gonna take a leave from work.”
Despite Ojeh’s initial hesitation, Jones proclaimed there was no other place she wanted to be than at her husband of 17 years’ side.
“It was weird for me. I’ve been popping up at 3 a.m. since I can remember, you know? But it was a beautiful time, and I’m happy 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 fully. I was fully present. I fought for my joy, and I fought for being present.”
