This Week’s $6m Tennessee Powerball Follows State’s Largest Ever Jackpot Win

This week’s Powerball draw is set to be underway on Thursday evening with a cash prize currently set at $6 million. Will you be the lucky winner?

It’s easy to get started and buy tickets online or from a licensed retailer anywhere the Lottery is held. Make your six picks and single Powerball selection for the chance to change your life with a win worth millions.

Last month the largest Powerball Jackpot ever in Tennessee was won by a local Nashville man who had a unique plan for his winnings. The $259 million prize was awarded Thursday to Roy Cockrum of Nashville, Tennessee. He opted to claim his winnings from the Tennessee Lottery headquarters in one lump sum, totalling $115 million after taxes.

While Cockrum did outline plans to reserve a small amount of money for a pension fund, he has vowed to spend the vast majority of his windfall on the performing arts. Roy plans to erect a foundation that will help support performing arts organizations around the United States.

What makes Roy’s story unique above all else is his religious background. The devout Episcopal of The Society of Saint John the Evangelist abides by the society’s “Rules of Life”, which equate to “lifelong vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience in an enduring fellowship.” It is through these tenants of his beliefs that he has chosen to devote the bulk of his winnings to benefitting the lives of others.

The 58-year-old monk, who spent 20 years as an actor and stage manager in television and theatre, has vowed to “continue working very hard to make sure that every single penny of this prize is a blessing to anyone it touches.”

Cockrum spent 22 days with the winning ticket in his wallet before turning it in to officials, and used the time to reflect on the implications of such a win and preparing for the whirlwind of attention that would follow.