Mark Boggs of Sissonville closes his eyes in disbelief after winning $1 million in the state lottery's second-chance drawing.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mark Boggs had to take a seat when he learned he was the $1 million winner during the West Virginia Lottery's Second Chance Drawing.
Four finalists for the drawing were called to the lottery's headquarters on Wednesday, where they learned that one of them would take home the grand prize, while the other three would take home $250,000 each. The drawing was the final event of the lottery's 25th Anniversary celebration.
Boggs, 39, of Sissonville, began to cry as the last $250,000 check was handed out because he knew he was the big winner. He took a seat to gain his composure when he glanced over at his mother, Margaret Johnson, who was also in tears. After taxes, he will take home about $685,000.
"It's unreal. Last night I was spending each prize that I could win in my head," Boggs said. "I can do so much more with a million."
Boggs said he would use the money to take care of his two children, ages 5 and 7, and his mother, who has helped him with his life as a single father.
"I'm going to take care of her so she doesn't have to worry anymore," he said.
Johnson said there is no one more deserving of the money than her son. She said he would also help take care of his 86-year-old grandmother and pay off some student loans.
"My son raises the bar for other single fathers ... he is an example to single fathers everywhere," Johnson said.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mark Boggs had to take a seat when he learned he was the $1 million winner during the West Virginia Lottery's Second Chance Drawing.
Four finalists for the drawing were called to the lottery's headquarters on Wednesday, where they learned that one of them would take home the grand prize, while the other three would take home $250,000 each. The drawing was the final event of the lottery's 25th Anniversary celebration.
Boggs, 39, of Sissonville, began to cry as the last $250,000 check was handed out because he knew he was the big winner. He took a seat to gain his composure when he glanced over at his mother, Margaret Johnson, who was also in tears. After taxes, he will take home about $685,000.
"It's unreal. Last night I was spending each prize that I could win in my head," Boggs said. "I can do so much more with a million."
Boggs said he would use the money to take care of his two children, ages 5 and 7, and his mother, who has helped him with his life as a single father.
"I'm going to take care of her so she doesn't have to worry anymore," he said.
Johnson said there is no one more deserving of the money than her son. She said he would also help take care of his 86-year-old grandmother and pay off some student loans.
"My son raises the bar for other single fathers ... he is an example to single fathers everywhere," Johnson said.
Steven Bledsoe of Huntington, James Fleshman of Crawley and Loretta Pharis of Moatsville were the $250,000 winners. After taxes, they will each take home about $170,000.
With a 9-year-old at home and another son due in October, Bledsoe said he would use his money to start a college fund. He said he wants to buy a bigger house for his girlfriend and children near Barboursville.
"I'm in shock and in disbelief," Bledsoe said. "It's awesome."
Fleshman said his two children were begging to go on vacation, but he was going to use the money to finish remodeling their house. He said no one close to him knew about the winnings on Wednesday morning.
"I'm going to have a lot of new friends and family," he joked.
Pharis said buying each of her five children -- all at driving age -- a new car is her dream. She said the money would also help pay off her bills.
John Musgrave, director of the West Virginia Lottery, said that Boggs was the lottery's 29th $1 million winner since it began in 1986.
Reach Travis Crum at travis.c...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5100.
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