Tennessee Couple Claims Winning Powerball Ticket on ‘Today’

Lottery authority in the US state of Tennessee verified Friday that a couple from the small town of Munford had claimed one third of the world-record 1.6-billion-U.S.-dollar Powerball jackpot.

But since you didn’t win the Powerball, take comfort in knowing that the story of John and Lisa Robinson, multimillionaires, has everything a good lotto story should.

“That’s what we’ve done all our lives, is work”, John Robinson said.

“She didn’t believe me even after I sent her a couple of pictures of it”, he said.

John and Lisa Robinson appeared in NBC’s studio and showed a ticket that had the winning numbers from Wednesday night’s record $1.6 billion drawing.

Munford Mayor Dwayne Cole said he knows the Robinsons and does not think they will squander their money.

Ilene Townsend, the lawyer’s daughter, was able to contact the “Today” show’s producers. Some of the biggest Powerball sales have come from cities bordering states that don’t sell the tickets, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Lottery officials said that Lawrence then called group member Tracy Leonard with the news – once they realized the tickets were at school in Leonard’s desk.

California, Tennessee and Florida sold one jackpot winning ticket each, lottery officials said.

As for buying a bigger, more resplendent house, it appears to come down to practicality for John Robinson.

“Who will be coming out of the woodwork?” said Mary Sue Smith, their neighbor since about 1995.

Lisa said the entire experience has been exciting but also overwhelming. “I was running down the hallway screaming and crying”, she said.

John Robinson said they also want to help out certain friends, give some money to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, and donate to their church.

On Friday, the couple told reporters they chose to take the lump sum worth over $328 million saying no one is guaranteed tomorrow.

“Hes a civic-minded person, and he probably will remember the town.”Munfords mayor, Dwayne Cole, had wished openly Thursday for an investment in the town, whose annual budget is $3.67 million. “But I do hope to plan on working for a little while…”

Mr Robinson said that although he was unwell, he bought the ticket at a local grocery store at the request of his wife on Wednesday night, just hours before the draw.

Lisa told the TODAY Show that she watched the drawing and triple checked the numbers before waking up her husband. “I said, ‘You have to check these numbers!’ He was asleep and was like, ‘Whaaa?'”