Celma Marshall of Fayetteville said she couldn’t believe her luck after a $5 scratch-off turned into a $150,000 top prize.
“I really want to help my family out now,” Marshall said.
Marshall bought her Mystery Prize Cashword ticket from 365 Fast Mart on Bunce Road in Fayetteville.
“I’m just so happy I can’t even believe it,” Marshall said. “I’m trying not to cry.”
Marshall collected her prize at lottery headquarters Thursday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $106,516.
“I never thought I’d win anything like this in my life,” Marshall said.
Mystery Prize Cashword debuted in September 2021 with six $150,000 prizes. Marshall won the last $150,000 prize in the game.
Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $2.5 million a day on average for education. For details on how $22.6 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Cumberland County in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.