Three Georgians win big in recent lottery games

By MASHAUN D. SIMON


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As thousands of individuals await the results of the $333 million Mega Millions drawing to take place Friday night, three lucky Georgians are enjoying their recent winnings.

Just weeks from his wedding day, Kenneth Brown, 42, won a $50,000 top prize after playing the lottery instant game Lucky Times 5.

Brown, a diesel mechanic, stopped at a Roadrunner in Albany while on his way to work, purchased a ticket and scratched it while walking out of the store.

“It surprised me,” he said. “I’m glad I hit it.”

He intends to use the winnings toward his wedding in September.

Thomas Cherry, 44, of Macon matched the first five numbers in the Aug. 21 Mega Millions drawing, winning $250,000.

“I checked and double checked the numbers online,” he said.

Cherry, who has no immediate plans for his winning, purchased the ticket at Arkwright Road Chevron in Macon.

A week prior, Shirley Devlin, 59, of Sharpsburg, matched the first five numbers in the Aug. 14 Mega Millions drawing, winning $250,000.

“It’s hard to believe,” said Devlin, a supervisor at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. When they saw the results online, she and her husband double-checked the ticket. “We looked at each other and asked, ‘Do you think it’s real?’”

She bought the winning Quik Pik ticket at Newnan One Stop in Newnan.

“Winning makes a big difference,” said the mother of three and grandmother of eight.

She anticipates retiring next year.