Michigan grandmother claims $70 million Powerball jackpot

Jun 18, 2020, 12:06 pm (14 comments)

Powerball

Waterford resident goes from living paycheck-to-paycheck to becoming Michigan's newest multi-millionaire

By Kate Northrop

A Michigan resident is the owner of the single winning ticket for the Powerball drawing held on February 12 worth $70 million. The winner had decided to make an impromptu pit stop with a friend to buy some lottery tickets at Huron Plaza Liquor on West Huron Street in Pontiac.

Cristy Davis, 40, of Waterford matched all five numbers drawn — 14, 47, 54, 55, and 68, with Powerball number 25 — to win the jackpot. She chose not to receive the lottery prize as annual payments over 30 years and instead elected to collect a one-time lump sum payout of about $36 million after taxes.

The jackpot win means that Davis no longer has to live paycheck-to-paycheck. Rather, she and her family can now live comfortably for a very long time.

Davis was at work the morning after purchasing the ticket. Her friend alerted her over FaceTime that the winning ticket of the Powerball jackpot was bought from the Huron Plaza Liquor store and that she should check her numbers.

She immediately got off the phone and went to her truck to retrieve her ticket.

"After I checked it, all I could do was scream. Everyone from work came running to check on me," she recalled. Her boss arranged for someone to give her a ride home from work — there was no way Davis would be able to drive after suddenly discovering that she was a multi-millionaire.

Before Davis won the lottery, she was living with her grandmother in Waterford. Her car was riddled with problems, constantly breaking down, so repairs always ate up a portion of her paycheck.

"Now I can get a brand-new vehicle, and I don't have to worry about that. I can have my own house, my own privacy," she said with relief in her voice. "I don't have to struggle anymore."

"I remember when Cristy was a teenager. We were at a family gathering talking about what we would do if we ever won big in the lottery," Patricia, Davis's mother, said. "She said, 'I'd get my car fixed.' Now she'll never have to worry about having a broken-down car again."

At the very top of her to-do list was buying a new house and moving out of her grandmother's. She intends to invest the remainder of her winnings to provide a financial safety net for her children and grandchildren.

Yousef Antoo, the owner of the Huron Plaza Liquor store, is also rejoicing at Davis's big win since he will be receiving a $50,000 commission for selling the winning ticket. "I am so happy for Cristy and her family," he said. "I am looking forward to sharing the $50,000 bonus commission with my employees and church and doing some improvements at my store."

Davis is the fifth Michigan lottery player to win the Powerball jackpot since the state began offering the game in 2010. Notably, she is also the second resident from Waterford to win a lottery jackpot. Kevin and Stephanie Blake won and shared a $42 million Mega Millions jackpot with a Rhode Island player in 2017.

Just last September, Phillip Chippewa of Suttons Bay was the last Michigan player before Davis to win the $80 million Powerball jackpot. The largest lottery prize ever paid out in Michigan was the $337 million Powerball jackpot in 2012 to Donald Lawson of Lapeer.

"Winning has caused me to feel overwhelmed, grateful and relieved all at once," Davis stated. "I won't have to live paycheck-to-paycheck anymore."

VIDEO: Watch the interview

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Party Congrats to the Winner! Party

music*'s avatarmusic*

Congratulations to Cristy Davis, 40.  I hope she makes this jackpot last for the rest of her long life.

  I checked my records and my numbers do not match the posted ones. I think a winner needs an accountant at this time.

 A new car which might be made here in America. A home. Then gifts to family members.

  I am happy that things are turning out right but I would not scream. I will remain quiet. Look into my mirror and do a silent scream.

  I am curious about Donald Lawson. Is he still rich?

sully16's avatarsully16

Congrats to the lucky lady.

MsBee18

"$36 million after taxes" that's a lot of dough. Spend wisely, but definitely go on a spending spree. Congratulations!!

Think's avatarThink

Cheers

Congrats to the winner!  It was nice to see that it was one easy pick ticket.

I still wont buy the PB and MM until they change the game but it was nice to see the single ticket win.

Bleudog101

Great story!  I'm sort of ambivalent to annual payments, though years ago I played for them---never won of course!   My point is now she will have a tax burden every year, but so happy for her!

quicksloth35

Absolutely fantastic!

 

https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/1600x900/format/jpg/quality/85/https://s.aolcdn.com/os/ab/_cms/2020/01/14030416/10-lamborghini-aventador-s-roadster-review.jpg

 

 

Eh? It even has MI plates on it for her!

 

Or....

 

 

https://www.6wheeljeep.com/s/cc_images/teaserbox_15084313.png?t=1581106976

 

Whatever she chooses to get, good for her! No more struggles! Congrats!

NY10

She suddenly became part of UHNWI($30 million+)

There are only between 240K-260K UHNWI in the world from over 7 Billion population 

And from that only 2K something are billionaires($1 Billion+)

BuyLow's avatarBuyLow

Quote: Originally posted by Bleudog101 on Jun 18, 2020

Great story!  I'm sort of ambivalent to annual payments, though years ago I played for them---never won of course!   My point is now she will have a tax burden every year, but so happy for her!

Reading comprehension much?  Jester

 

"She chose not to receive the lottery prize as annual payments over 30 years and instead elected to collect a one-time lump sum payout of about $36 million after taxes."

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by quicksloth35 on Jun 18, 2020

Absolutely fantastic!

 

https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/1600x900/format/jpg/quality/85/https://s.aolcdn.com/os/ab/_cms/2020/01/14030416/10-lamborghini-aventador-s-roadster-review.jpg

 

 

Eh? It even has MI plates on it for her!

 

Or....

 

 

https://www.6wheeljeep.com/s/cc_images/teaserbox_15084313.png?t=1581106976

 

Whatever she chooses to get, good for her! No more struggles! Congrats!

The Lamborghini -good choice Sloth, it looks terrific.

The truck, sorry, l have to go with..

plastic lizzy caplan GIF

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by BuyLow on Jun 18, 2020

Reading comprehension much?  Jester

 

"She chose not to receive the lottery prize as annual payments over 30 years and instead elected to collect a one-time lump sum payout of about $36 million after taxes."

Oops, messed that one up big time.  LOL and thanks for correcting me, I appreciate it--seriously.    Ich Verstehen Englisch!!

sdw1000

How the hell are you 40 and have grandchildren? lol Makes me Methuselah at 45 with no kids.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by sdw1000 on Jun 19, 2020

How the hell are you 40 and have grandchildren? lol Makes me Methuselah at 45 with no kids.

Food for thought sdw1000 

* Girls the age of 10 were married in 2001 in Tennessee. I seriously doubt these children were holding hands until they were 18.

 

*Source: Wiki.

music*'s avatarmusic*

All of us here want to be just like Cristy Davis. Her luck paid her big time. 

 Stay positive guys you never know who will win. Party

End of comments
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