Sheinelle Jones Tears Up As She Says Goodbye To ‘Today’ Hour Three: ‘One Of The Best Things Of My Life’

NBC host Sheinelle Jones was given a heart-to-heart by his hosts during the third hour of the “Today” show as he will begin joining Jenna Bush Hager in the lead-up to the fourth hour of the popular morning show.

Jones, 47, who lost her husband, Uche Ojehof brain cancer in May, was announced as the new permanent co-host of the morning show’s final segment in December—more than a year later. Hoda Kotb announced that he is quitting to spend more time with his children.

At the time, the mother of three admitted that her late husband played a role in her decision to take up the position, explaining that she knew he would be proud to know that she was moving forward with her career.

The on-air host will have a week to understand her new position before the official premiere of “Today With Jenna & Sheinelle” on Jan. 12.

However, he managed to bid a proper adieu in the third hour of the series with his editors, Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyeragain Al Rokerwho paid emotional tribute to him during his last appearance in the segment on Jan. 2.

Jones was holding back tears as his hosts recalled their favorite memories of their time with him.

“We were lucky to have you. But we were also lucky to see the people who made you who you are,” Roker said before showing a video of Jones’ daughter. Claraand his grandmother.

Dreyer also tried not to get emotional when he remembered how much Jones’ friendship meant to him.

“My laugh around you is so genuine and you’ve just been an amazing friend to me for years – I mean years and years and years,” he said.

“From day one,” added Jones.

Then Melvin came in crying, “I can’t look at you because I’m going to cry. You’re real and you’re real on camera or on camera. When you share your words and share your poetry with us and the world, I always enjoy those moments. They make my heart smile.”

Melvin then shocked Jones and the fans by reading the first poem on air.

“To my sister in the air, in the glare of the cameras your light shines on her / sister, leader, fearless and true. / You drive away the chaos. Three hearts call you mother / yet enter the work with that grace and calmness.

“The stories you tell come straight from the soul / they are true and kind — the gold of journalism. / The loss you endured the world has also seen / yet you rise every day, you inspire all.

“That smile can brighten the studio / A spark of strength, hope and dream / Through laughter and tears, you guide my way. / Dear Sheinelle, my sister in spirit, you shine brighter every day,” said Melvin.

Jones hugged his teammates as he thanked fans for allowing him to share the air with him.

“You don’t leave me. To you guys at home, thank you very much for everything, for making me crazy, kids. We come in and laugh and laugh sincerely. We’re tearing up, right now. I mean this has been like one of the best games of my life,” said Jones.

When it was announced that Jones was moving to the fourth hour, she explained what it meant to her to have the support of the “Today” team, especially after taking time to care for her husband in the last weeks of his battle with cancer.

“When I came home from work, I talked about fighting for my happiness,” she said. “This is what it looks like. It feels like God. It feels like Uche is up there with God, like, he’s Mr. Competitive, like, ‘Okay, let’s make this happen for Sheinelle.’

“I put on his shirt this morning, and I said a little prayer, and I said, ‘Let’s go be with my friend, but my sister.’

Jones took a long hiatus from the NBC morning show while her husband underwent treatment, announcing in January that she would be away from the screens, explaining at the time that she was dealing with a family health issue.

The mother of three announced four months later that her husband of almost 20 years had died.

In September, she opened up about her heartbreaking loss during an appearance on “Today,” where she described her ordeal as “a terrible nightmare,” she told the anchor.Savannah Guthriethat his heart “shattered into a million pieces.”

“The life I’ve known since I was 19 is gone.

Jones noted that he’s taking things “day by day,” before revealing that he was “proud” of himself “for the way I’ve handled it so far.”

“It’s terrible. It’s just horrible. It stinks, but I’m here and I’m fine,” he added.

Jones officially returned to his role as host of the third hour of “Today” alongside Roker once again Dreyer later that month—but now he’s taking on a new job entirely, joining Hager at four o’clock as a permanent feature starting Jan. 12.

Hager previously made the announcement, describing Jones as an “extraordinary” talent who brings to life everything his part of the show is meant to offer viewers.

“You all know him, he is a great broadcaster, but most importantly, he expresses exactly what this show is about,” said Hager.

At the time, Jones noted that the opportunity was “more than that [her] worst nightmare,” adding: “This is a real thing, and I can do it with Jenna.”

Hager broke down in tears as the two hugged, saying: “I’m so happy you’re here. I knew I was going to cry before you left, I tried not to.”

NBC noted that Dryer and Roker will remain in their roles as co-executive producers of the third hour of “Today” on the sidelines. Melvin, who was also promoted to prime-time director when Kotb stepped down in January.

It marks a happy milestone for Jones to complete an incredibly difficult year, starting in January when she stepped back from the show to be by her husband’s side during his battle with cancer.

At that time, the broadcaster thanked viewers for supporting him in a statement he sent on social media, although he did not reveal any other details about the “family health issue” he was dealing with.

“Thank you so much to all of you who reached out while I was away from the show,” he wrote. “I want to share with you that I am taking time to deal with the family’s health problem.

“It’s not lost on me how lucky I am not only to have the support of my family on today’s show, but also to have all of you,” he added. “Your kindness means a lot to me. I’ll see you soon.”

It wasn’t until May that Jones revealed her husband—with whom she shares three children, a sonCain16, and 13-year-old twins Clara andUche– he had been fighting an illness.

Although Jones did not appear on the “Today” show to announce the news of her husband’s death, her host, Guthrie, shared the sad development with viewers in an on-air statement.

“It is with great sadness that we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our dear friend and ‘Today’ co-star Sheinelle Jones has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma,” Guthrie told viewers at the time.

“There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.”

Jones and Ojeh tied the knot in 2007 and were living together in a lavish estate in Livingston Manor, NY, when the “Today” host stepped down from her hosting job to support her husband.

The couple is believed to have bought the property for just under $1.4 million in December 2020.

The home offers 4,762 square feet of living space on 53 acres with a “large stocked pool” and indoor heated pool, according to its original listing description.

Inside the building, there is a library, a formal dining room, and a large master suite, while there is an additional four-bedroom, two-bathroom home.

Jones and his family are thought to have moved into the home after returning from a five-month retreat in South Carolina, where they lived in isolation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the host of “Today” expressed his happiness at the prospect of starting a “new adventure,” while talking about the time he and his loved ones were able to spend alone in such a beautiful place.

“Time to start a new chapter!” she wrote in an Instagram post highlighting her favorite photos from their stay. “The last five months have been filled with a lot of uncertainty, but having this time together as a family has been so rewarding.

“It’s easy to be alone when you’re with people you love. (I wish I was writing!!!)… I’m so thankful for what this time has taught me….and the healing power of nature. Until next time South Carolina!”

Although Jones and her husband have a place outside of New York City, they did live in a Manhattan apartment at one point—and the aerial personality showed off the space in a story posted on Today.com.

She explained to the online outlet that she fell in love with the house’s high ceilings, corner windows, and hardwood floors, having moved into the home after their family moved to Philadelphia when she landed the role on “Today.”