In a moment that will be etched in the hearts of the TODAY Show family forever, Al Roker, the beloved weatherman and co-host, stunned his colleagues with an unexpected and deeply moving gesture during the funeral of Uche Ojeh, the husband of fellow anchor Sheinelle Jones. Uche, who tragically passed away at 45 after a valiant battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, was celebrated in a heartfelt memorial service that brought together family, friends, and the tight-knit TODAY Show crew. What transpired during the ceremony was a gesture so profound, so personal, that it left everyone—from Savannah Guthrie to Craig Melvin—speechless, before tears of understanding and gratitude flowed freely.

The somber day began at a historic church in New York City, where Sheinelle Jones, 47, stood bravely alongside her three children—Kayin, 15, and 12-year-old twins Uche and Clara—to bid farewell to the man who had been her partner for 17 years. The TODAY Show anchors, known for their on-air camaraderie, rallied around their “sister” Sheinelle, who had been absent from the show since December 2024 to care for her husband during his secret health battle. The air was thick with grief, but also with love, as colleagues like Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, and Dylan Dreyer shared stories of Uche’s warmth, humor, and unwavering devotion to his family.

As the service progressed, Al Roker, known for his larger-than-life personality and quick wit, took the podium to deliver a eulogy. Those in attendance expected heartfelt words from the veteran broadcaster, who had described Uche as “wickedly funny” and a “private guy” with an infectious smile. But what no one anticipated was the gesture that would follow—a moment so poignant it would redefine the meaning of friendship and solidarity in the face of loss.

Roker began by recounting a memory of Uche from a double date with his wife, Deborah Roberts, and the Ojehs. “Uche had this way of making everyone feel like they were the only person in the room,” Roker said, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. “He’d listen, really listen, and then he’d hit you with that smile—like he knew something you didn’t.” The congregation chuckled softly, a brief reprieve from the weight of the day. But then, Roker paused, reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a small, weathered notebook. The room fell silent, curiosity rippling through the pews.

“This,” Roker said, holding the notebook aloft, “is something Uche gave me years ago, during one of our late-night talks after a TODAY Show event. He called it his ‘Gratitude Journal.’” Gasps echoed softly as Roker explained that Uche, a managing partner at UAO Consulting, had a habit of jotting down moments of joy, no matter how small—whether it was watching Sheinelle cross the finish line at the 2023 New York City Marathon or hearing his kids laugh at a silly joke. “He told me, ‘Al, when life gets heavy, you gotta remind yourself of the light.’ And he gave me this notebook to start my own.”

Roker’s gesture was to read aloud one of Uche’s final entries, written in the hospital during his battle with glioblastoma. With permission from Sheinelle, Roker’s voice trembled as he read: “Today, Sheinelle held my hand and told me she’d love me forever. Kayin made me laugh with a terrible pun. Clara drew me a picture of our family. Uche Jr. hugged me tight. I’m the luckiest man alive.” The words hung in the air, a testament to Uche’s unshakable optimism even in his darkest moments. But Roker wasn’t done.

He then revealed that he had spent the weeks leading up to the funeral collecting messages from the TODAY Show staff, Uche’s friends, and even viewers who had been touched by Sheinelle’s strength. Each message was a “gratitude note” inspired by Uche’s journal, celebrating the impact he had on their lives. Roker had compiled them into a new notebook, which he presented to Sheinelle and her children at the altar. “This is for you,” he said, his eyes glistening. “Uche’s light lives on in all of us, and we’re grateful for every moment we had with him.”

The gesture stunned the TODAY Show anchors. Savannah Guthrie, who had announced Uche’s passing on air with tears in her eyes, clutched Craig Melvin’s hand, her composure breaking. Dylan Dreyer, who had spoken of checking in on Sheinelle weekly during her absence, wiped tears from her cheeks. Even Carson Daly, known for his stoic demeanor, was visibly moved. Sheinelle, standing with her children, accepted the notebook with trembling hands, her face a mix of grief and gratitude. The congregation erupted into soft sobs, the weight of Roker’s gesture sinking in: he had not only honored Uche’s memory but had created a tangible keepsake for his family to carry forward, filled with love from their extended TODAY family and beyond.

The notebook, now a cherished artifact, contained messages that captured Uche’s essence. Craig Melvin wrote about their final golf outing in the fall, where Uche’s laughter had been “like medicine.” Hoda Kotb, a former TODAY anchor, penned, “Uche’s love for Sheinelle and their kids was a beacon of what family means.” Even viewers, who had sent messages via Sheinelle’s Instagram post, contributed notes about how Uche’s quiet strength, shared through Sheinelle’s stories, inspired them. One viewer wrote, “Uche’s love for his family made me hug my kids a little tighter.”

The gesture’s impact rippled beyond the funeral. On the May 23, 2025, broadcast of TODAY, Savannah Guthrie shared the story of Roker’s tribute, calling it “a moment that reminded us all why we’re family here.” Social media exploded with reactions, with fans praising Roker’s thoughtfulness. “Al Roker just showed us what true friendship looks like,” one X user posted. Another wrote, “That notebook is Uche’s legacy—pure love.” Sheinelle, who broke her silence on Instagram after the funeral, shared a photo of the notebook, writing, “Thank you, Al, for reminding us to find the light. Uche would’ve loved this.”

The TODAY Show family has always been known for its closeness, but Roker’s gesture elevated their bond to a new level. It was a reminder that grief, while heavy, can be met with acts of love that transcend words. For Sheinelle, who has juggled her career as a co-host of TODAY’s third hour with being a hands-on mom, the notebook became a lifeline—a way to keep Uche’s spirit alive for her children. “Sheinelle’s always smiling,” Dylan Dreyer had said in April, marveling at her colleague’s grace under pressure. Now, that smile carried a new layer of resilience, bolstered by Roker’s unforgettable act.

As the service concluded, the TODAY anchors gathered around Sheinelle, their embraces a silent promise to support her through the days ahead. Roker, ever the heart of the team, stood back, watching as his gesture worked its magic. “Uche was a private guy, but his love was loud,” he later told reporters outside the church. “I just wanted to make sure Sheinelle and the kids knew how much he meant to all of us.”

In the weeks since, the notebook has become a symbol of hope for the TODAY Show community. Sheinelle has shared glimpses of it on social media, noting that her children read it nightly, finding comfort in their father’s legacy. For Al Roker, the gesture was a small act born from a big friendship—one that reminded everyone that even in the darkest moments, there’s light to be found, just as Uche always believed.