The Today show crew is uniting in a heartfelt tribute to cohost Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh, who tragically passed away at the age of 45 after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. The emotional announcement resonated deeply with viewers during a live broadcast on Friday, May 23, where Jones' fellow cohosts—Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Carson Daly, Dylan Dreyer, and Jenna Bush Hager—came together to celebrate Ojeh’s life and the courageous fight he and Sheinelle endured following his diagnosis.
In a touching pre-recorded video montage, Guthrie reflected on the profound impact Uche had on those around him, stating, "Ojeh was Jones' perfect match, a man whose joyful spirit and quiet strength complemented Sheinelle in every way." She further described him as a person who "brought life, warmth, and joy to every room," emphasizing that family, friends, and his deep faith were the guiding forces in his life.
Uche Ojeh was not only a dedicated husband and father but also an enthusiastic soccer player, a member of his church choir, and a proud ambassador of his Nigerian heritage. He instilled a strong connection to his cultural roots in their three children: Kayin, 15, and fraternal twins Clara and Uche, 12. Guthrie poignantly stated, "Today, with heavy hearts, we celebrate his life—devoted husband, loving father, and a man whose generosity of spirit touched all who knew him."
Sheinelle and Uche, whose full name was Uchechukwuka Adenola Ojeh, were college sweethearts who met at Northwestern University in the late '90s. Their love blossomed when Sheinelle, then a freshman, offered to show Uche, a visiting high school senior, around campus. The couple married in Sheinelle's hometown of Philadelphia in 2007, embarking on a journey filled with love and family.
Throughout Uche's battle with cancer, Jones exhibited remarkable strength, which did not go unnoticed by her cohosts. Guthrie praised her resilience, stating, "As was Uche." Hager shared her admiration for Jones, saying that she had "found grace in the grief, which is not easy," and emphasized how much she inspired her cohosts during this difficult time. "There are no words for the pain that we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children," Guthrie expressed. "We just want to say to Sheinelle, Kayin, Uche, and Clara, and the Ojeh family: We are with you. We love you. You are our family, and we're sending all our love to you right now."
Roker fondly remembered Ojeh, sharing that he had a wicked sense of humor and that his comments often took people by surprise, yet he remained humble. Melvin, who was a close friend of Uche, added, "He loved those kids more than anything else in this world and was just so proud. He was that dad that was on the sideline of every soccer game. He was at all of the concerts and the recitals. He was that guy."
While Sheinelle Jones has not yet released a formal statement regarding her husband's passing, she shared her cohosts' heartfelt message on Instagram, captioning it with gratitude: "Thank you for all of your love and support. ❤️" The Today show's official Instagram account responded with an outpouring of love, stating, "We love you, Sheinelle. 🧡"
Currently, Jones has been absent from the Today show since mid-December. She joined the network in 2014 and typically cohosts the third hour of the show alongside Roker, Melvin, and Dreyer. In January, she took to Instagram to inform her followers that she was addressing a family health matter, highlighting the personal challenges she has faced during this time.
