Felecia Jones of Roanoke Rapids took a chance on a Mega Bucks ticket and surprised herself by winning a $200,000 top prize.

“When I realized I was a winner, I was like, ‘Wait a minute,’” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was just sitting there stunned.”

Jones purchased her winning $5 ticket from the Speed Mart on East 10th Street in Roanoke Rapids.

“I was shocked,” she recalled. “I saw the number 22, and then I saw the 2 with all the 0’s and I said, ‘Ain’t no way!’ It was unbelievable.”

She claimed her prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh and took home $141,501 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

“I’m going to do some upgrades around the home,” said Jones. She also plans to use the prize money to “help out a couple family members.”

The Mega Bucks game launched in January with 10 $200,000 prizes. Four remain to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million per year for education. For details on how $2.7 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Halifax County in 2020, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.