Michigan residents Ralph and Mary Stebbins had a unique vision for their Mega Millions winnings. They decided to use their newfound wealth to benefit their community by starting a dental clinic for low-income residents in their hometown. Mary, however, had a simpler wish: she wanted to buy a cow. Their story is a testament to how lottery winnings can be used for both community service and personal joy.
Eddie Nabors: From Truck Driver to Fishing Enthusiast
In March 2007, Eddie Nabors from Dalton, Georgia, shared the largest lottery prize in U.S. history at the time, a staggering $390 million, with another ticket holder from New Jersey. His winning numbers were 16-22-29-39-42, and the Mega Ball was 20. Nabors, a truck driver for Mohawk Industries, was in disbelief when he found out he had won. When asked how he planned to spend his winnings, he simply replied, “I’m gonna go fishing.” The CEO of Georgia Lottery, Margaret DeFrancisco, even gave him a pillow that said “Gone fishing” to pose with at the press conference. Nabors bought a new boat and planned to take it “everywhere.”
J.R. Triplett: Shopping Spree Dreams
In April 2004, retired truck driver J.R. Triplett won a $239 million jackpot. At the press conference, his wife Peggy excitedly declared her plans to “shop ’til I drop.” Their story highlights the joy and excitement that comes with such a life-changing event.
Margaret Jones: A Bus Full of Celebrations
Margaret Jones, who won a $130 million jackpot in https://hb88.loans/ January 2005, made a grand entrance at the Atlanta headquarters. She hired a bus and brought along her family, relatives, and friends to celebrate her win. The group cheered and celebrated all the way to Atlanta and continued their jubilations during the press conference.
Stephen Cooke: Double the Luck
Stephen Cooke from Roswell, Georgia, had an extraordinary stroke of luck in November 2003. He realized he had bought two lottery tickets with the same winning number combination, making him a double winner. Cooke left the Mega Millions office twice that day, each time with a $13.3 million check in his pocket.
Bunky Bartlett: Mystical Plans
In August 2007, Bunky Bartlett from Dundalk, Maryland, shared a $330 million Mega Millions prize with a few other players. Bartlett, who worked at a new age store called Mystickal Voyage, planned to use his winnings to help expand the store and teach Reiki, a form of Japanese healing.
Stephen Moore: A Psychic Prediction?
U.S. Army officer Stephen Moore, stationed in South Korea, won a $150 million Mega Millions prize in September 2003 while on vacation with his family in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Before leaving for his 30-day leave, he had told his friends he would win the lottery. His story adds a mystical twist to the world of lottery winners.