The multi-million dollar mystery has been solved. One winner and one big jackpot. It's the largest lotto pay out in state history. Solomon Jackson Jr. is the big winner. He's kept the nation in suspense for more than a week. He came forward this afternoon with long time friend and Columbia attorney I.S. Leevy Johnson. He didn't have much to say but Jackson admits he's a lucky man. One in 95 million people lucky, those are the odds of winning that jackpot. There's a better chance of getting a royal flush, getting struck by lightning or even getting attacked by a shark than winning that powerball.

"Thank God, Thank God, Thank God," says Jackson.

The Midlands man couldn't wipe the smile off his face during Tuesday's news conference announcing he's the big winner, something Jackson didn't even realize at first.

He says, "Sometimes I lay things around. Can you imagine laying around $259 million ticket."

Last week Jackson went to the Murphy USA gas station on Garner's Ferry Road and bought two quick pick lottery tickets. One paid off, big.

"Why can't I throw in $2 to education. Come to find out I didn't need $2 to win, so I wasted $1," says Jackson.

The cost conscious Columbia native says he won't make any major life changes.

"7:30 this morning I was outside cutting my neighbors grass because her father died. So that's going to be me, just normal."

Jackson retired in 2000 as an assistant administrator for the Department of Revenue. He also has several children and grandchildren, but he won't say how many. He also won't reveal his age. However, Jackson can't keep his happiness a secret.

"My brother said the Lord has blessed you and I said ain't God good," says Jackson.

A big blessing that Jackson still can't believe he won, but says he'll take it.

"If I can justify this at all, only God knows what's ahead. I plan to live a long time, so I can spend it."

Jackson can take his nearly $260 million jackpot over 30-years, or he can take an immediate lump sum of $129 million. He hasn't said which option he'll choose, hut he did say he'll continue to support South Carolina education.