$259 million Powerball winner took poverty vow

Comment #48

RL-RANDOMLOGIC — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 12:03:47 GMT

How ironic. I guess God does have a sense of humor.

RL

Comment #47

THRIFTY — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:50:23 GMT

Who said that all rich people are smart? LOL

Comment #46

One-Day — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 14:33:12 GMT

Rich in every sense. My God wants me to be a millionaire, but somehow I'm still stuck on stoopid.

Comment #45

THRIFTY — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 02:02:01 GMT

GOD WANTS EVERYBODY TO BE RICH.

Comment #44

TheGameGrl — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 23:45:32 GMT

Maybe Helping others was the goal to begin with in winning. If a person can help their parents with medical and give to a cause, what is it to others what his vows were. He is LIVING his life choices and not allowing modern materialism to envade his good nature. Kudos to him

Comment #43

TNPATL — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 19:16:50 GMT

Ohhhhh I did not see this before posting my question. Oooops!!!!

I tried to reply with quotes to what HaveABall posted, but messed that up. LOL

Comment #42

TNPATL — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 19:15:22 GMT

I guess if you took a vow of poverty, why play the Lottery

Comment #41

Arrowhead — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:32:08 GMT

Bingo. Well put.

Comment #40

Saylorgirl — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 12:05:58 GMT

Congratulations to Mr. Roy! I liked in the article where he stated he had a long list of charities to donate the monies to and that the list was already set . I think he has a great plan.

Comment #39

Coin Toss — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 04:59:51 GMT

Thanks for the added information, HaveABall.

Now this from the OP makes more sense:

I really believe the best way to prepare for this tsunami of cash has been to live under a vow of poverty for a number of years, C'i'ckrum said. It gives great perspective.

Comment #38

HaveABall — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 03:02:59 GMT

Roy left the religious order in 2009. At that time, he left the rules that applied to respectable order lifestyle. [Note. Religious orders are accustomed to this exodus problem; though most attempt to minimize it by inviting those interested in becoming members to FIRST join them for a three-year 'novitiate' or so.]

After that, Roy returned to being a secular, like us. He, again, became free to live with his parents, help his parents, win the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes larger priz... [ More ]

Comment #37

Coin Toss — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 00:20:59 GMT

So are they

Comment #36

Teddi — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 00:01:02 GMT

Hey, I'm not Catholic or Anglican or Episcopalian so the different orders mean absolutely nothing to me. But having been around a Jesuit order who took their vows VERY seriously, I simply don't get how he has money to gamble. Though I suppose another way to look at it is that it wouldn't be gambling if he had total faith that he was going to win. In that case I guess it can be seen as short term investing with guaranteed massive returns.

If it's a case of faith, then I'm happy for him, and i... [ More ]

Comment #35

Teddi — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:41:18 GMT

If one is impoverished without taking an actual vow to be that way, does it count or is taking the vow what makes the difference.

Comment #34

whiteballz — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:00:49 GMT

He'll die old, broke and lonely.

I thought that was his plan from the start. He did take a lifelong vow of poverty and a lifelong vow of chastity.

Comment #33

One-Day — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 22:54:45 GMT

He is a hypocrite; he shouldn't be playing no lottery. And fortune won't last long judging from what I read. He'll die old, broke and lonely. We'll hear about him in a couple years on TMZ.

Comment #32

brees2012 — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 17:29:41 GMT

That's fine and dandy that he choose to do that . My idea of helping immediate family

certain charities and live on a budget among other things .

Everybody has there own idea, to what they want to do with their winnings .

Do the right thing

Comment #31

Artist77 — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 15:58:22 GMT

I agree. Let Cynthia Stafford give all her money to the performing arts. I would give a small amount to the visual arts however.

Comment #30

Drenick1 — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 13:19:32 GMT

Unreal! Perhaps we all need to take a vow of poverty.

Comment #29

mypiemaster — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 09:40:06 GMT

He even had a press conference WHY?. Having a press conference, after you win the lottery, is definitely not the way to go, unless the lottery has it as a condition for claiming your money.

Comment #28

mikeintexas — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:24:47 GMT

After Romney was castigated for talking about cutting the funding for PBS, I did some research about the shows and how much money they pull in. There were quite a few programs that really didn't need govt. money (read: yours and mine); they were making money hand-over-fist with merchandising, etc. The progressives ran to town with Mitt wants to kill Big Bird! but Sesame Street does quite well with merchandising, licensing of products. I picked out a few dozen shows and figured they'd do well on... [ More ]

Comment #27

whiteballz — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:18:08 GMT

he also won Publishers Clearing House too. http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/knoxville-powerball-jackpot-winner-claims-prize/12163329/

Sounds like taking a vow of poverty is the first class ticket to a life of wealth.

Comment #26

mypiemaster — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 03:56:26 GMT

This is a sign from God, that vows of celibacy, are for the birds. If we all took vows of celibacy, out species shall be extinct. I guess he plays the lottery, so he can be poor. Next thing you know, he got some teenager pregnant somewhere. If he was serious about his vows, he wouldn't be caught dead near a lottery machine. Now he can have his own harem, and designate it as part of the performance arts. Who are you kidding?. With a name like C-O-C-K-R-U-M, who knows what he will be up to next?.... [ More ]

Comment #25

dallascowboyfan — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 03:39:54 GMT

Congratulation Mr. Roy snip rum

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Comment #24

Piaceri — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 02:50:38 GMT

Ditto. The more private citizens can donate to the arts, the better. It also keeps the govt out of censoring.

Congrats to Roy. I hope he lives up to his promises.

All that said.. I never took a vow of poverty, but I'm assuming I can stretch this last $50 to the 15th....

Comment #23

Drenick1 — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 00:23:14 GMT

The circumstances leading up to his win are rather strange. I agree with many here as to why he even bought a lottery ticket especially after taking a vow of poverty. There are many charities in need of help and I don't think the arts and film industry is part of that group but that's just my feelings and since this gentleman is the one who won the prize he can do whatever he wishes.

According to the article he was also taking care of his parents so hopefully he will make their lives a littl... [ More ]

Comment #22

Coin Toss — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 23:18:16 GMT

Teddi,

If there was any thing odd about the order he would have left first, no?

As others have mentioned here it doesn't make sense to take a vow of poverty and play the lottery.

Re: Jesuits, if you haven't heard this one (a priest told this one)

Every day some seminary students were arguing over which was the highest order of priests. The theology professor was aware of it but never said anything.

Then one morning when they came into the class room this was on the... [ More ]

Comment #21

Teddi — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 23:02:31 GMT

Very interesting indeed. Definitely want to see how this plays out. But I suppose if he puts it in a trust or if he leaves the order she wouldn't be able to touch it, not to mention the bad publicity if she tried to go after it.

Comment #20

Teddi — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 22:54:22 GMT

If you've ever been around these people for a few years, the 'poverty way of life' wouldn't seem so strange. They never want anything for themselves. In exchange for teaching services they were provided with room and board. They have no income and they accept no contributions. When I say poverty, I mean poverty. They even walk everywhere they need to go because they have no form of transportation. A vehicle is considered an unnecessary waste of money that could be better spent on those in need.... [ More ]

Comment #19

Coin Toss — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 22:53:18 GMT

I'm thinking this could get quite interesting.

The article in the OP mentioned he belongs to an Episcopalian order. The Presiding Bishop (highest ranking person, denominational leader) of the Episcopalian church is Katharine Jefferts Schori, a former oceanographer who got turned down for a research grant so went to a seminary.

Some Episcopalian churches, entire dioceses, have split away to an organization called ACNA, the Anglican Council of North America, a much more conservative gr... [ More ]

Comment #18

HaveABall — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 19:43:50 GMT

Congratulations, Roy, on your BIG Powerball jackpot win, whether you change your mind to keep it or most of it or whatever!

I wonder if it will be a problem/impossible for Roy to find performing arts companies to donate to who have a record of not broadcasting nudity, near nudity, profanities, mocking of religions, mocking of countries, etc. Or, perhaps that doesn't matter to Roy. I would have thought it would have made more sense, to Roy, to donate monies to an established religious church... [ More ]

Comment #17

noise-gate — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 17:05:42 GMT

I get what you saying Teddi, my point is that every business, order, religious or otherwise needs money to survive to a certain extent. Even the disciples of Christ carried a money box in which Judas Ischariot was in charge of overseeing.

I just don't get the poverty a way of life . Makes me wonder why Brother Roy played the lottery in the first place since it would be viewed as touching the 3rd rail by the Order of St John.

However- to each his own.

Comment #16

whiteballz — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:57:51 GMT

maybe I should take a lifelong vow of poverty too. Then buy some lottery tickets and hope I win millions of dollars.

Vow of poverty for the win

Comment #15

Goteki54 — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 15:56:00 GMT

To each his own I suppose. I would set up a foundation to help the poor, hungry and the needy. Funding the Performing Arts would not be in my top 20 charities to donate to.

Comment #14

haymaker — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 12:32:55 GMT

I'd say he hit the lottery twice...his parents didn't take a vow of celibacy.

Comment #13

Litebets27 — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 12:16:22 GMT

If he took a vow of Poverty why buy lottery tickets that have a probability of earning you millions of dollars if you win.

I'd call that poor vow of poverty planning.

But anyway, congratulations to the winner!

POVERTY IS OVER

Comment #12

savagegoose — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:43:15 GMT

I didnt tke ny vow of poverty, i just got lucky i guess.

Comment #11

hearsetrax — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:34:51 GMT

should be most curious to see how this pans out for him

I just hope his decision don't come back to haunt him the few years down the virtual road

Comment #10

Shelby Mustang — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 11:33:22 GMT

Well that's neat. I think he'll do good things with the cash

Comment #9

Teddi — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 09:10:01 GMT

Perhaps the order will get 10% or maybe they frown on any form of gambling so won't accept the proceeds. If he saw something untoward about the order, it's doubtful he would have told the lottery officials that much about it. I went to a Jesuit school. The nuns and fathers had these same vows and were very strict about it. They would accept no gift that had any real monetary value. If a parent insisted, they requested the donation to be made to a charity instead. If this order is even half as st... [ More ]

Comment #8

noise-gate — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 05:16:18 GMT

This is puzzling...

He plans to give most of his money to the performing arts ..

He joins a religious order where he was known as Brother Roy- how is it that the order he belonged too- is not getting most of the money? Did he see something odd in the Society of St John the Evangelist that changed his mind?

Does the Society not need support?

... after all, he did fall to his knees and .....prayed.

Comment #7

s5thomps — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 05:01:09 GMT

DOGNABIT!! Thats mighty nice of you to do that.....after all he did say he took a vow of poverty. LOL I never took a vow but yet I still manage to be broke! Maybe Ridge can help out also since that's his homeboy.

Comment #6

mikeintexas — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:44:39 GMT

...he plans to use most of the money to support the performing arts.

Good for him. I'd much rather see him supporting the performing arts than have my tax dollars do it.

Comment #5

golfer1960 — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:40:41 GMT

This is further proof that everyone has their own version of the dream when they buy a lottery ticket.

He took a lifelong vow of poverty, celibacy and obedience to god and now he wins $259M in the lottery!

Incredible!

I'd better start praying.

Comment #4

maringoman — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:19:35 GMT

I wonder if he is allowed to at least have a Corona Extra with a lime. Okay maybe Corona Extra is not a poor man's beer. How about a King Cobra

Comment #3

Coin Toss — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 03:57:54 GMT

From the article:

........worked 20 years as an actor and stage manager for theater and television. He later became known as Brother Roy as he followed a call to religious service with The Society of Saint John the Evangelist, an Episcopal religious community in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to the society's Rule of Life, members of the monastic order take lifelong vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience in an enduring fellowship.

Ut oh.

Is the Society going to demand it... [ More ]

Comment #2

ThatScaryChick — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 03:32:56 GMT

Congrats to Roy on his big win.

Comment #1

dognabit — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 03:07:06 GMT

Listen everyone, I do not want anyone to suffer, so I am more than willing to take one for the team and receive the winnings. Any thank you cards may be sent to my private island.

$259 million Powerball winner took poverty vow

Lottery Post — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 02:58:06 GMT

A man with a winning $259.8 million Powerball ticket claimed what officials are calling the largest jackpot ever won in Tennessee and says he plans to use most of the money to support the performing arts.

Roy Cockrum, of Knoxville, appeared Thursday at the Tennessee Lottery headquarters in Nashville to claim the prize. He plans to accept a lump sum payment of $115 million.

Cockrum, 58, bought the ticket at a Kroger store in Knoxville on June 11.

Cockrum said in a statement that when he