Woman cries after big N.C. Lottery win

Mary Johnson can put a check mark next to that New Year’s resolution to pay off her bills thanks to the North Carolina Lottery.

The Lincoln County woman picked up a $150,000 lottery win on Wednesday.

“I’m going to be debt free,” Johnson said. “Can you imagine? It just sounds so good. I’m a single mom of three and this is so exciting. It’s the American dream. What a wonderful way to start the New Year.”

The Harris Teeter employee’s good luck happened on her way to work. She stopped at the Jones Exxon on N.C. 16 in Stanley and bought a $150,000 Cashword scratch-off ticket.

“I thought it was only $5,000 at first,” Johnson said. “I was excited, so I texted a picture of the ticket to my daughter. When she told me I won $150,000 not $5,000, I freaked out. I just cried and cried.”

State and federal taxes turned her $150,000 win into a check for $106,126 to take home.

The $5 scratch-off ticket launched in October. Because Johnson won the last $150,000 top prize, the lottery will take steps to end the game.