North Carolina woman scores big haul with Lucky For Life win: ‘I’m still just trying to soak it all in’

Published 9:17 am Monday, May 29, 2023

A Nash County woman has scored a major lottery ticket win, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.

Audrey Woodard of Rocky Mount could not contain her excitement Friday morning, May 19, 2023 on her way to work after a $2 Lucky for Life ticket won her a $25,000 a year for life prize.

“I was so excited I was driving in my car and screaming all the way to work,” Woodard laughed.

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She said she won the prize playing numbers that hold a special significance for her. “I play my birthday, my son’s birthday and his football jersey number,” she said.

Woodard, a 61-year-old production operator, said she initially planned to retire next year but her big win will allow her to retire early.

“I’m still just trying to soak it all in,” she said.

Woodard bought her lucky ticket for the drawing from the Circle K on North Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount. She won her prize by matching all five white balls in the drawing.

“I told my family and they were ecstatic just like I was,” she said.

She claimed her prize Monday, May 22 and had the choice of receiving $25,000 a year for the rest of her life or a $390,000 lump sum. She chose the $390,000 lump sum and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $277,891.

Woodard said she will give some money to her family, pay off her car and invest some of the winnings.

For details on impacts made by lottery funds across the state, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

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