Georgia Lottery makes three new millionaires
Posted: 3/26/2008 11:24:00 AM
Columbus grandfather wins $5 million
A Columbus, Georgia, grandpa is celebrating a $5 million Georgia Lottery win. Prentiss Shumaker, 70, played the instant game Georgia's $500 Million Club and won $5 million.
Milgen Road Foodmart, located at 4254 Milgen Road in Columbus, sold the top prize ticket. Shumaker scratched his ticket in the store.
"I stood there and looked at it," he said. "I showed it to the store clerk, and he shook my hand."
Shumaker has one adult daughter and two grandchildren. He will use his winnings to help them.
"I'm going to make sure the grandkids and my daughter are taken care of," he shared.
According to Shumaker, he also plans to retire from his job in purchasing and sales after 39 years with the same company.
"I'm going to retire and get a part-time job. I can't just sit at home," he said.
Sharpsburg cafeteria worker wins $1 million
A Sharpsburg cafeteria worker has cooked up a lottery win. Bobbie Eckert, 66, won a $1 million top prize playing the Georgia Lottery instant game Georgia Lottery's Cash Explosion.
Thomas Crossroads BP, 3079 E. Highway 34 in Newnan, sold the lucky ticket. The great-grandmother scratched it in her car and realized she had a winning ticket.
"I called my husband, and he didn't believe me," said Eckert, who works at Cannongate Elementary School. "So, I showed it to the clerk, and she began screaming.
"I showed the ticket to the owner, and she began screaming too," she added. "We all were in the store jumping up and down screaming. Passers-by congratulated me."
Eckert and her husband, Randy, have three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The couple plan to retire.
"I'm as happy as I can be," she exclaimed. "My stomach is still in knots."
Waycross cook wins $1 million
A Waycross fry cook is sizzling as a new millionaire, thanks to the Georgia Lottery. Jason Holder played the instant game Georgia's $500 Million Club and won $1 million.
Holder, 29, who works at a Chinese restaurant, purchased the ticket at Flash Foods #0176, 1401 Tebeau St. in Waycross. He stopped to buy two sodas and the ticket, he said. He scratched it in his van.
"It wasn't until I finished scratching the ticket that I saw I'd won," Holder said. "My girlfriend was with me, and she gave me a hug."
According to Holder, winning $1 million is a life-changing experience. He first plans to buy a new car.
"I feel fantastic. I feel awesome," he exclaimed. "Winning is sweet."
Source: Lottery Post Staff
