PEMBROKE, NC—An unforgettable moment occurred at a Robeson County convenience store on Monday night when Jo Jones of Pembroke celebrated her $1 million lottery win with unbridled joy. The grandmother of 13 couldn’t contain her excitement, exclaiming to everyone in sight after discovering her fortune.
Jones purchased her winning ticket, a $10 Million Spectacular scratch-off, at Kwik Stop on U.S. 74 in Rowland. Overwhelmed by the reality of her win, she described the experience as feeling like a dream and entirely surreal.
The lucky winner made her way to collect her prize on Tuesday, faced with a choice between an annuity of $50,000 annually for 20 years or a lump sum. Opting for the lump sum of $600,000, Jones walked away with $429,014 after taxes. She plans to use the winnings to support her family, fulfilling a promise to assist her children financially if she ever won the lottery.
The $10 Million Spectacular game offers various substantial prizes and debuted last December. With three top prizes of $10 million and multiple million-dollar prizes still available, the game continues to promise significant winnings.
Robeson County has also benefited from the lottery, receiving $50 million in grants for a new career and technology high school. For more information on how the lottery impacts local communities, interested individuals can visit the NC Lottery website and explore the “Impact” section.