Illinois man wins more than $12 million in Quick Pick 3 lottery

Jet, March 17, 2008 by Margena A. Christian

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Edward K. Jones of Chillicothe, IL, occasionally plays the Quick Pick 3 lottery as his game of choice, but he's never had a significant win-until now. In an instant, Jones recently became a millionaire.

"Winning the lottery was really a blessing from God," said the 35-year-old machinist. "I'm really impressed that God could put his hands on me and my wife like that."

Jones purchased the winning ticket from Schnucks in DeKalb, IL. He opted for the one-time cash payment of $7,561,729, after taxes.

"I plan to sit back and see who I can help out," Jones said. "Of course I am going to share with my children, but I also will sponsor a church mission trip. Members of my church go all over the world building houses and digging wells." Jones and his wife, Julie, have a combined six children and six grandchildren.

"We're just really blessed," she said. "I had been praying for financial prosperity, and I just had a feeling that this year would be something special."

Motorcycle enthusiasts, they plan to buy a Harley-Davidson and purchase a home in a climate where it's warmer in the wintertime.

Jones is also looking forward to fulfilling a lifelong dream.

"I once made a promise to take care of God, family and job," he said. "And now that the job is taken care of, I am going to take care of family and God from now on."

For those who don't believe it's possible for Blacks to win big bucks in a Quick Pick 3 game, think again, Jones said.

"Everyone has an equal chance of winning."