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The North Carolina Education Lottery has reported a big win for a Wayne County woman.

Martha Dixon, of Goldsboro, achieved her dream of winning a big lottery prize when her ticket in a Lucky For Life drawing won $25,000 a year for life, according to a press release from NCEL.

“This has always been my dream,” said Dixon as she collected her prize, “to be debt-free and able to help others.”

Dixon’s ticket, purchased at the Save More on East Ashe Street in Goldsboro, matched all five white balls in the June 29 drawing. The odds of winning a $25,000 a year for life prize are 1 in 1.8 million.

Dixon, 82, could have chosen to take her prize as an annuity that would pay her $25,000 a year every year for the rest of her life. She chose instead to take the lump sum of $390,000 and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $276,772.

“I’m still nervous,” Dixon said. “I’m still shaking. I’ve never had a check with that much money.”

Dixon, who works part-time as a school cafeteria worker, said she planned to give to her church, repair her home, pay off her bills, invest and help others.

For details on how money raised by the lottery made an impact in 2021, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

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