Today's Sheinelle Jones suffers another devastating family loss just eight months after death of her husband
Sheinelle Jones has announced the sudden death of her grandmother just eight months after the loss of her husband Uche Ojeh.
The Today show co-host, 47, confirmed that her 'grandmama' Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown died in the early hours of New Year's Eve at the age of 96.
In an emotional tribute, Jones honored her beloved family member, whom she described as her 'best buddy, my confidante and my unapologetic cheerleader.'
She also credited Brown with helping her career as a news reporter.
Alongside a carousel of photographs, Jones wrote: '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.'
Jones's Today show co-stars were quick to share their condolences in the comments including Jenna Bush Hager, who wrote: 'She adored you... all that grace and beauty is in you!'
'Praying for you every moment,' Dylan Dreyer added.
Today show presenter Sheinelle Jones announced the sudden death of her grandmother
Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown died in the early hours of New Year's Eve at the age of 96
Meanwhile former Today show co-host Hoda Kotb said: 'Love you Sheinelle.'
Actress and producer Kelly Rizzo continued: 'This is the most incredible tribute I have ever read in my life. What an absolute blessing to have her as a grandmother. Such a gift!
'Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry for your loss, Sheinelle- sending so much love your way, friend.'
The devastating news comes after Jones suffered the loss of her husband Ojeh to glioblastoma, a rare form cancer, in May 2025. He was 45.
The couple got married in 2007 and share three children together: son Kayin, and fraternal twins Clara and Uche.
In September, Jones gave her first interview following her partner's passing where she described her grief as a 'beautiful nightmare.'
Addressing his death, she said: 'My heart is shattered. My heart is shattered in a million pieces.
'The life that I've known since I was 19 is no more. I always wanted kids, and I have three kids of my own now and they've lost their dad and I'm their mom. It sucks.
Jones honored her beloved grandmother in an emotional tribute shared on social media
She described her as her 'best buddy, my confidante and my unapologetic cheerleader'
'Life is so precious, and I can't help but to be changed by the last year and a half,' Jones said
Jones suffered the loss of her husband Uche Ojeh to cancer in May. He was 45
'So how am I doing? You know, it's day-to-day. I'm proud of myself for, you know, how I've coped so far.
'I'm proud of my kids for how we've been able to try to pull through. But it's... it's horrible. It's just horrible. But I'm here.'
Ojeh was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord, and grows very quickly, per Mayo Clinic.
There is no cure for the cancer, although it can be managed with treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.
Jones is set to co-host the fourth hour of Today alongside Bush Hager beginning January 12.
The program has been renamed Today with Jenna and Sheinelle.
