*So much for trying to remain anonymous.
The Mega Millions lottery winner from Stone Mountain, Georgia, one of two to hit the $648 million jackpot, has been revealed as Ira Curry, 56, who lives in a two-story home in the suburb just northeast of Atlanta.
According to the New York Daily News, Curry “made a beeline” Wednesday for lottery headquarters in Atlanta to claim the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. Lottery winners have a year to claim their loot, and officials thought she would take more time to prepare for the life-changing event, which will net her $120 million after taxes.
“She said she was just in a state of disbelief,” Georgia Lottery chief executive Debbie Alford said.
Curry is originally from the Bronx and still has family there…at least at press time.
Her sisters, Jalunda Baker Price and Brenda Baker, told the Daily News on Wednesday that they were packing up and leaving the Lambert Houses in the Bronx to avoid the spotlight. On Thursday, there was no answer on the phone at the home — an apartment the three sisters all moved into four decades ago.
At Curry’s Stone Mountain home, packages sat on the doorstep. A silver Mercedes and a black Nissan Maxima were parked in the driveway near the family’s basketball hoop, which has served as a gathering spot for neighborhood children, residents said.
Neighbors said they were thrilled for the benevolent woman and her husband, Talmer Curry, who they say had big hearts long before they had deep pockets.
Kaliah Ladler, 18, recalled how Talmer Curry took her and her brother in when they were locked out of their home. The husband gave them something to eat and allowed them to stay until their mother came home.
“It’s a blessing,” Ladler told The News. “When you do a lot of good, some comes back in return.”
Another neighbor, Revonia Cole, said Ira Curry once found a stray dog outside and tried to return the pup to its rightful owner.
“It gave me chills,” Cole said of the incredible news. “It feels good someone you actually know won it.”
The California winner, who will share the jackpot with Curry, still hasn’t come forward.
Lottery officials were still able to present a $1 million check to an ecstatic Thuy Nguyen, who sold the winning ticket in his San Jose store.
SOURCE: EURweb.com
Article and Pictures Courtesy of EUR Web
