Sheinelle Jones’ Emotional Return to Today: Al Roker’s Kindness Shines Through Grief

Sheinelle Jones’ return to NBC’s Today show on September 5, 2025, marked a poignant moment for the beloved anchor and her colleagues, who enveloped her with support following the loss of her husband, Uche Ojeh, to glioblastoma in May 2025. Among the heartfelt gestures that stood out was Al Roker’s quiet act of kindness: bringing breakfast sandwiches to Jones’ children—Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche, 13—while their father was in hospice care. The children, deeply moved by Roker’s care, were brought to tears recalling his comforting words, a testament to the Today family’s unwavering support during Jones’ darkest days.

Jones, 47, sat down with Savannah Guthrie for a pre-taped interview aired on her return, opening up about Ojeh’s battle with the aggressive brain cancer that claimed his life. The conversation, raw and intimate, showcased Jones’ resilience. “You carried him, you never lost that light in your eyes for him,” Guthrie said, noting the mutual devotion between Jones and Ojeh. Back on set, Jones joined her 3rd-hour colleagues—Roker, Craig Melvin, and Dylan Dreyer—who praised her strength. Jones shared how Roker’s breakfast deliveries became a source of comfort for her children, who were grappling with their father’s illness. “Those sandwiches weren’t just food,” Jones said, her voice thick with emotion. “Al sat with them, talked to them, made them feel seen. My kids cried telling me how much his words meant.”

Roker, 71, known for his warmth both on and off screen, downplayed his actions but acknowledged the Today team’s collective effort to support Jones. “We’re family,” he said simply, his eyes glistening as Jones recounted his kindness. The children, she later shared, were particularly touched by Roker’s ability to connect with them, offering stories and encouragement that eased their pain during hospice visits. This gesture was one of many from the Today crew. Guthrie prayed with Jones before Ojeh’s surgeries, Melvin sent scriptures and uplifting texts, Dreyer provided emotional support during hospice, and Jenna Bush Hager sent treats for the kids. “You guys have been my oxygen,” Jones told them on air.

The outpouring of support extended beyond the studio. Craig Melvin, 46, shared how viewers approached him constantly, asking, “How’s Sheinelle?” He recounted a poignant encounter with a man on a train who had lost his partner to brain cancer and sent prayers for Jones. “Your return sends a message to everyone who’s lost someone,” Melvin told her. “You put one foot in front of the other.” Dreyer called Jones “an inspiration,” while Roker emphasized her absence left the show incomplete. “You’re part of our family,” he said, presenting her with a box of letters from viewers who had missed her vibrant presence.

Jones, who took leave from Today since December 2024, explained her decision to return just four months after Ojeh’s death. “Cancer doesn’t have to steal our joy,” she declared, her voice resolute. “I feel like Uche’s heartbeat lives on in mine. I owe it to him to squeeze the most out of this life.” She urged viewers to see her laughter and energy on the show as a fight for joy, not a dismissal of grief. “Root for me,” she said, “because I’m fighting for it.”

The Today family, including Guthrie, Melvin, Roker, Dreyer, Hoda Kotb, and Bush Hager, attended Ojeh’s funeral, a powerful show of solidarity. Jones later shared a clip of the segment on Instagram, thanking viewers for their love. Her return, bolstered by acts like Roker’s breakfast sandwiches and the team’s support, underscores a universal truth: in grief, small gestures and shared strength can light the way forward.