Woman who let Powerball winner go ahead of her has no regrets

Jun 6, 2013, 2:04 pm (270 comments)

Powerball

When Gloria C. Mackenzie claimed her $590.5 million Powerball jackpot, she released a statement revealing that another woman "was kind enough" to allow her to cut in line when she purchased the winning ticket.

That woman, Mindy Crandell, 34, is not upset that her charitable gesture likely cost her an enormous fortune and says "things are meant to be for a reason."

Crandell, of Zephyrhills, Fla., was in line to purchase lottery tickets in Publix on May 18 while tending to one of her two daughters when Mackenzie, 84, stepped in front of her.

"My 10-year-old said, 'Mom, There's a lady in front of us.' I noticed that the lady was there. Didn't pay a lot of mind to it," Crandall said.

The lady at the counter stopped Mackenzie to allow Crandell to reclaim her spot in line. Crandell declined the offer and told Mackenzie "go ahead. " It was a move that could have potentially cost the Crandells the $590.5 million Powerball ticket. Mackenzie purchased one Quick Pick ticket and left the store.

Crandell said family and friends began teasing her that the lady she allowed to cut in line was going to win the mega jackpot. But Crandell thought there was no way the lady was going to be the winner.

"The joke was, that's the lady that's going to win it. I was like, 'Yeah right. No one is going to win from little Zephyrhills,'" Crandell said.

Later that night, Mackenzie matched all five numbers including the Powerball while Crandell was at home still being teased by family members that the lady in the line was probably the winner. It was a joke that she would endure for the next two weeks.

When Mackenzie claimed the money on Wednesday, Crandell's 10-year-old daughter, Mallory, immediately recognized her from Publix.

"My daughter was like, 'Mom, look at the lady,'" Crandell said. "Same day, same store. What's the chances of that happening?"

Mackenzie has not disclosed her plans for the money. In a statement to ABC News, William P. Brant, Mackenzie's attorney, denied requests for an interview and said the family wants to "maintain their privacy."

Mackenzie has opted for the lump sum cash payout of $370.8 million, before taxes, instead of 30 annual payments of $19 million, a lottery official said.

Crandell holds no ill-will toward Mackenzie and hopes the money "truly blesses her family." The one thing Crandell did gain from the incident was a lesson she hopes her daughters learned.

"It could have been us, but things happen. Sometimes it's better to be patient than right. I knew we were teaching our daughter the right thing," Crandell said.

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ABC News

Comments

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

it's good to know she has no regrets. Even if she didn't let the woman cut in front of her, I doubt she would have won. QPs generated a millisecond apart will be completely different.

JoshUK

Meh, she wouldn't of won anyway. Different numbers, different amount of lines.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by whiteballz on Jun 6, 2013

it's good to know she has no regrets. Even if she didn't let the woman cut in front of her, I doubt she would have won. QPs generated a millisecond apart will be completely different.

You got it bro, I said the same in the other thread.

Thumbs Up

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Well, depending on how it really happened, if she let an 84 year old cut in front of her out of respect, then she should be rewarded.  The woman won an awful lot of money and, even if she gives millions to her family members and friends, will certainly have enough left to write another check.  The story is a little confusing.  Did the winner actually cut in front of Mrs. Crandell or did she step away for a second?  I've been in Publix many times when the customer service people are very busy selling tickets and trying to handle their other duties.  They go from register to register.  Publix is a very large supermarket chain and each store usually has a separate area for the Lottery.  Often customers go the the Customer Service Center to conduct other business and then want lottery tickets.  If there's a line to buy lottery tickets, they usually do not get back in line. 

In any case, since the winner acknowledged the young woman, she is probably planning to give her a "thank you" reward.   I hope so.  Otherwise, I don't know why she would even mention her.

whiteballz's avatarwhiteballz

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Jun 6, 2013

You got it bro, I said the same in the other thread.

Thumbs Up

I haven't had the chance to read your comment in the other thread. I got the idea from what Todd wrote explaining how QPs are generated.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Jun 6, 2013

Well, depending on how it really happened, if she let an 84 year old cut in front of her out of respect, then she should be rewarded.  The woman won an awful lot of money and, even if she gives millions to her family members and friends, will certainly have enough left to write another check.  The story is a little confusing.  Did the winner actually cut in front of Mrs. Crandell or did she step away for a second?  I've been in Publix many times when the customer service people are very busy selling tickets and trying to handle their other duties.  They go from register to register.  Publix is a very large supermarket chain and each store usually has a separate area for the Lottery.  Often customers go the the Customer Service Center to conduct other business and then want lottery tickets.  If there's a line to buy lottery tickets, they usually do not get back in line. 

In any case, since the winner acknowledged the young woman, she is probably planning to give her a "thank you" reward.   I hope so.  Otherwise, I don't know why she would even mention her.

I Agree!  the acknowledgement pretty much says so.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Quote: Originally posted by JoshUK on Jun 6, 2013

Meh, she wouldn't of won anyway. Different numbers, different amount of lines.

Are you sure?  I called the Lottery a long time ago (we've had this discussion before) and was told each machine generates its own sets of numbers.  Yes, if she bought several tickets and #5 won, I'd agree.  But she said she only bought 1 this time.  Again, why mention it at all?  It only stirs up debates like this and might create problems for her.  If I won such a huge amound and truly believed it was because a nice person let me go first, then I would reward her.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by whiteballz on Jun 6, 2013

I haven't had the chance to read your comment in the other thread. I got the idea from what Todd wrote explaining how QPs are generated.

I think that was the one where Todd said they are "seeded" so I picked up something from that as well.

MillionsWanted's avatarMillionsWanted

Even if she had gotten the QP numbers instead there's no guarantee she would have won anyway.

bobo7703

you know she going to give her some of the money

Blackie

I think that even though the lady  Mindy C may not have won , She did the right thing and taught her daughter not to make a scene like some would have done . The lady that won should certainly reward her with a substantial amount to show she appreciated being allowed to go first . No one will ever know if that ticket would have went to the other lady or not .  Just my thought on it .

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

What a class act Ms. CrandellThumbs Up

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by Blackie on Jun 6, 2013

I think that even though the lady  Mindy C may not have won , She did the right thing and taught her daughter not to make a scene like some would have done . The lady that won should certainly reward her with a substantial amount to show she appreciated being allowed to go first . No one will ever know if that ticket would have went to the other lady or not .  Just my thought on it .

People who cut in line don't give rewards. The good Samaritan gets nothing.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

No good deed goes unnoticed Blue Angel

Eternity is a very long time

What you do today will effect your destiny in the everlasting Kingdom of God forever.

The good you do today will add to your eternal reward and the evil you do today will diminish it.

What you do for Christ will last and what you do for yourself will pass.

The treasure you lay up in Heaven is forever and the treasure you lay up on earth is but for a moment.

every deed and every act is either good or evil.

We will give an account for every deed, every act and every word before the Throne of God.

our lives are continuously being weighed in the balance.

No good deed goes unnoticed or inspiring word forgotten, both are recorded in the book of remembrance.

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