‘I started screaming and hollering’, says $1 million lottery winner

September 20, 2018 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:26 AM

April Lee of Boomer said a lucky feeling led her to a $1 million lottery prize.

On Tuesday, Lee stopped at the Ashley Farms II on N.C. 268 West in Wilkesboro on her way to work. While she was there, she bought a Carolina Millions scratch-off ticket.

“I normally play the crossword tickets,” said Lee, who works at a packaging plant. “But I was looking at this ticket and something just said to go and get it.”

Lee put the ticket in her lunch bag and forgot about it until her lunch break.

“I started screaming and hollering,” Lee said. “I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it.”

Lee claimed her prize Wednesday at lotter headquarters in Raleigh. She had the choice of taking an annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $423,009. She plans to use some of the money to buy a new home.

“We rent a home right now,” Lee said. “It would be nice to get something closer to where my husband and I work.”

The $10 ticket launched in October 2016 with eight top prizes of $1 million. Since Lee claimed the last top prize, the lottery will take steps to end the game.

Ticket sales from games like Carolina Millions help the lottery raise more than $650 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds are making a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website, https://www.nclottery.com

21 COMMENTS

9/24/2018 04:03 - Denver G.

TO Bruce S. I have to disagree with you. She will NOT get taxed on a million because she chose the lump sum of $600k. She already had the state & federal taxes taken out of her winnings which is considered income. IF she falls into a higher tax bracket, say 35-40%, she may have to pay an "additional" 5 or 10%. She will not get taxed on the million , nor will she get taxed twice on the $600k.

9/24/2018 10:04 - bruce s.

Great win !!!!!! Be sure to save some money for your taxes next year.in which you will be in a different tax bracket and get taxed on the 1 million plus whatever your salary is once again.

9/23/2018 08:35 - Maurice H.

Bless you!

9/22/2018 04:49 - Andrea E.

Congrats, April! I'm happy for you, on your win and on getting a new home! I have to agree with the "lucky" feeling. I've had three $100 wins on "Hit 100" just by having a strong gut feeling. I've enjoyed each one :) Again, congrats to you and enjoy!!

9/22/2018 04:32 - Berry B.

Congrats,young Lady,you are Blessed!!

9/22/2018 12:24 - Tatiana D.

I heard it many times: the person has a lucky feeling, buys the ticket, and wins! We all should pay attention to our intuition and feelings. This is a lot better than buying rolls of tickets without any result.

9/21/2018 10:23 - Sarah B.

@GREGORY F.: Hey Gregory, Thanks for the opportunity to discuss this topic! If you lived in a different area--for example, Raleigh--and played the lottery there, you'd just be playing the lottery with a lot more people around you. Over time, you'll notice that winners are proportionate with the amount of lottery players in that area. That said, we do see a fair share of winners in the eastern part of the state! We recommend checking out our winners board for the latest big wins.

9/21/2018 10:04 - Tom a.

any idea when the Luck-Rewards ticket entry will be working again?NC Lottery
Hey Tom, Our web team is aware of an issue this morning where players are having trouble accessing Lucke-Rewards. They are working to find a solution as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience!

9/21/2018 02:09 - Douglas H.

So happy for you April. Enjoy your new house.

9/21/2018 01:23 - Audrey F.

Congrats enjoy your winnings

9/20/2018 09:29 - travis k.

im next

9/20/2018 08:40 - Tanya C.

Too bad you didn’t win in Va you would have taken home over 600,000. NC taxes are a joke! NC Lottery
Hey Tanya, The lottery only withholds minimum state taxes of 5.499% and federal taxes of 24%. It's important to note that this winner had the choice of the 20-year $1 million annuity or the $600,000 lump sum. She chose the lump sum, so those minimum taxes are taken from that amount.

9/20/2018 07:32 - Gregory F.

Congratulations to April this is a great blessing enjoy your blessing from GOD. And you new home. Another big winner in the western part of the state or close to Raleigh Durham area. It us all our dreams to win big but it is a lot harder to win big if their are no big winners in your area. The lottery says it doesn't know where the big winners are but I find that hard to believe. And I see why a lot of people move to Florida in Florida if you win a million dollars you take home over 7 hundred thousand dollars after taxes nc takes to much taxes. NC Lottery
Hey Gregory, Please see our full reply above. Thanks!

9/20/2018 04:37 - Janette B.

Congrat’s

9/20/2018 04:00 - mark g.

God bless that woman hope you win another one!!! And The government for taking so much of it I mean Im a Patriot and support the U.S.But dang let you citizens get more then less 1/3!!! NC Lottery
Hi there Mark, We wanted to let you know that your original comment violated our community standards because it contained vulgar language. We removed that sentence this time, but please refrain from cursing as those comments will not be published. You can review our community standards here: https://nclottery.com/rules

9/20/2018 03:45 - Mandy D.

I'm next I can feel it .. Congratulations sweetie hope u find the mini mansion ur heart desires..much luv& blessings

9/20/2018 02:39 - Denver G.

Thx LZ. That little bit of info will help eaze everyone's anxiety. I think we all assumed the change would take effect on Oct.1st. Glad to know it we still be a only a buck. I hope not, but I am gonna guess it will be twice a day and have a 50cent option. The clerk at the store said, only thing she was told was the playslips would change. Well that goes without saying. Thank you again for all you guys do.NC Lottery
You are most welcome, Denver.

9/20/2018 12:37 - Denver G.

Congrats young lady. WNC rocks!! LZ, if you won't tell us the exact cash5 changes, can you at least tell us the exact date they will take effect? Also what will next months weekly and monthly lucky rewards drawings be ? NC Lottery
Hey Denver, The official date that the Cash 5 changes will take effect is Sunday, November 4th -- but you'll get all of the details on what that entails early next month. For next month's Lucke-Rewards drawings, here's the scoop: One player will win $15,000 in the monthly drawing, and each week, twenty-five players will win $100 in the weekly drawing.

9/20/2018 11:47 - Dwight M.

Congrats Ms.Lady. Good to see someone on our neck of the woods win something. Happy Home Hunting...

9/20/2018 09:33 - Gary C.

Congratulations on winning the last million dollar prize and happy house hunting!!! What a dream come true to have a house that is paid for!!!

9/20/2018 09:06 - BRENDA C.

Congratulations !! a home town girl !

Progressive Jackpot Estimate

Win up to $1,000,000 every 4 minutes

Big Thrills Served Fast.

‘I started screaming and hollering’, says $1 million lottery winner

September 20, 2018 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:26 AM