Virginia couple claims $14.6 million in Big Game lottery

Jet, Jan 12, 1998

For the first time, the Big Game lottery winner is from Virginia.

Howell Ellis and his wife Loretta Bowman-Ellis, of Richmond, claimed the $14.6 million jackpot from the Nov. 21 multi-state Big Game drawing. They received their first check of $496,400 after taxes, and the couple will collect the same amount each year until 2017.

"When my husband told me we won it was overwhelming," Mrs. Ellis said. "I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. But as time has gone on, we've prayed about it and I feel better."

Mrs. Ellis will continue to work as a state employee, but her husband has other plans.

"She can just go on and work," he said with a chuckle. "I've been working two jobs for most of my life, and it's time for me to retire."

The couple said they will take a cruise, pay their bills and share their winnings with their three grown daughters and other family members.