An emotional scene unfolded in a Robeson County convenience store Monday night after Jo Jones of Pembroke won a $1 million prize.
“I started hollering and running through the store,” Jones laughed. “I ran to the front and said, ‘Y’all I won $1 million.”
Jones bought her lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from Kwik Stop on U.S. 74 in Rowland.
“It’s like a dream,” she said. “This still just feels unreal.”
Jones, a grandmother of 13, said she plans to use her winnings to help out her family.
“I always said if I ever win the lottery I’m going to help my children,” she said. “I’ll help them in any way I can.”
When Jones arrived Tuesday to collect her winnings, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive her prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $429,014.
The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Three $10 million prizes, 11 $1 million prizes and 10 $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
The state provided $50 million in grants, using money raised by the lottery, to help Robeson County build a new career and technology high school. For details on other ways Robeson County benefits from lottery funds, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.
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