Sheinelle Jones has lost another loved one.
The “Today” anchor, 47, announced that her grandmother, Josephine Vonceal Pace Brown, has died, seven months after her husband, Uche Ojeh, died of brain cancer at age 45.
“It is with the heaviest heart that I announce the sudden passing of my grandmother. 😢,” Jones wrote in her Instagram post Saturday. “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; my best buddy, my confidante and my unapologetic cheerleader,” Jones continued. “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.”
The famous journalist explained Brown’s many accomplishments, such as being a classically trained pianist, the director of music ministry at her and becoming the first Black woman to be elected to the Board of Education.
Many of you also know that my grandfather and his father – were among the first black doctors in our town … growing up – it felt like everyone went to Grandpapa for care,” Jones continued. “Between the two of them, they exemplified what it means to squeeze the most out of life and to give.”
“Life is so precious,” she wrote, “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’ post featured more than a dozen pictures of Brown from over the years, including photos that featured Jones, her late husband, and her three children.
In the comments, Jones received support from some of her current and former “Today” colleagues including Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Dylan Dreyer.
Jones took about nine months off of work last year to care for her ailing husband, who ultimately lost his battle with glioblastoma in May.
She returned to the NBC show in September and opened up about Ojeh’s deaths in an emotional interview.
“It’s a beautiful nightmare,” she said. “My heart is shattered in a million pieces. The life that I’ve known since I was 19 is no more. I’ve 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 and Ojeh, whose real name was Uchechukwuka Adenola Ojeh, married in 2007.
The couple welcomed three children: Kaylin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche, 13
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
