MURFREESBORO – For Robert Davis, it was worth the drive from Courtland, VA to Murfreesboro, NC.

The 58-year-old retiree recently won the top prize in the $2,500 a Week for Life! game, according to officials with the North Carolina Education Lottery.

He purchased the lucky $5 ticket at the Duck Thru Food Store on West Main Street in Murfreesboro.

That short trip south across the state line earned Davis $130,000 a year – every year for the rest of his life.

Davis could have chosen a lump sum payment, but instead decided to take the annuity. The annuity option guarantees at least $2.6 million to Davis or his estate over the next 20 years. But the total amount won could add up to more as it continues making annual payments as long as he lives.

After taxes were withheld, his first payment was $90,026.

“This is a lot more money than I ever thought I would win,” said Davis. “It’s hard to believe, really. I’m going to save for retirement and do a lot more traveling, hunting and fishing.”

Davis said since he is 58 years old that he thought the annuity would work best for him and his family.

The game went on sale on July 1, 2014 with three top prizes. As of Wednesday morning, one more top prize remains to be claimed in the game.

Ticket sales made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds were used to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how $9.1 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Hertford County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.

For prizes greater than $5,000, 25% federal tax and 5.75% state tax are automatically withheld.