In North Carolina, lottery wins are usually celebrated with oversized checks and big smiles, but Jesse Johnson’s moment of victory came with a little extra drama. The Snow Hill grandfather recently learned that his $30 scratch-off ticket was worth a staggering $1 million, and his body quite literally couldn’t handle the news. What followed was a scene straight out of a feel-good movie: disbelief, excitement, and a man crumpling to the pavement beside his pickup truck.
According to North Carolina Education Lottery officials, Johnson was standing in a parking lot on the morning of January 7, casually scratching his ticket, when the realization hit him all at once. The ticket in question was from the “MAX-A-MILLION” scratch-off game, and it turned out he had uncovered the top prize. The shock was immediate and overwhelming, per PEOPLE.
“I just fell down beside my truck,” Johnson said, summing up the moment in the most relatable way possible. Officials added that his “feet gave out beneath him,” which honestly feels like the most human reaction imaginable when you realize your life has just changed forever.
North Carolina Grandfather Wins Lottery, Plans To Take Care Of 22 Grandkids
The newly minted millionaire, who happens to be a grandfather of 22, said it took him a moment to regroup. His first instinct was to call his wife and share the news, but even that proved difficult. “I couldn’t really talk over the phone,” Johnson admitted. “I was so excited.” And honestly? Same. If anyone has earned a little moment of overwhelmed silence, it’s a man who just turned a $30 gamble into seven figures.
Johnson purchased the winning ticket from Nour Tobacco, a convenience store in Kinston, and wasted no time making things official. He cashed in the ticket the very same day, facing the classic lottery winner’s dilemma: annual payments over time or a lump sum. In the end, he chose the lump sum option of $600,000. After taxes, that left him with $432,068, still very much life-changing money.
Unlike some lottery winners who dream of luxury cars or extravagant vacations, Johnson’s plans are refreshingly grounded. He told officials that he intends to use his winnings to help care for his 22 grandchildren. In an era where viral lottery stories often come with wild spending sprees, there’s something especially heartwarming about a granddad whose first thought is family.
He Was So Excited
The timing of Johnson’s win also highlights how much opportunity is still out there. Lottery officials noted that the “MAX-A-MILLION” game, which launched back in March, still has 16 out of 25 unclaimed $1 million prizes remaining. There are also seven $100,000 prizes waiting to be found, meaning more jaw-dropping moments could be just around the corner.
Beyond individual wins, the lottery continues to impact communities across North Carolina. Greene County alone has received more than $50 million in state grants funded by lottery proceeds, money that helped build a new high school. So while Jesse Johnson’s story is about one unforgettable parking-lot collapse, it’s also a reminder that sometimes luck doesn’t just change one life, it quietly reshapes an entire community.
Nina Franklin 
Emma Taylor 
