There may not be a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow in North Carolina, but the Tar Heel State can certainly boast about having sold four winning Powerball jackpot tickets to some happy winners. Recently, 26-year-old Marie Holmes became that fourth recipient. The mother of four bought the ticket, which is worth $188 million, from Scotchman convenience store on Whiteville Road in Shallotte, North Carolina. The small Brunswick County town is located less than 40 miles north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Forced to quit her jobs at McDonalds and Walmart in order to take care of her children, one of whom has cerebral palsy, Holmes said, “I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw the ticket and checked it.” She said she screamed after the winning numbers were called out on that fateful Wednesday evening, scaring her children.
Seemingly humbled by it all, Holmes also stated that as soon as the money hits her bank account, “First, I’m going to pay my tithe, because I wouldn’t have none of it if it wasn’t for God. I don’t think it’s really hit me. I guess when it hits my account is when it’s really going to hit me, but I’m thankful that I can bless my kids with something that I didn’t have.”
Holmes also says that she intends to use her winnings to purchase a new house, a car and set up bank accounts and college funds for her children. The young mother admitted to struggling since having her children but added: “But I wouldn’t trade anything because they’re a blessing. I’m just thankful that I can actually do for them without anybody’s help. I don’t have to worry about struggling anymore.”
She told WECT, a local television station, “This is all for them, everything is all for them, all the struggle that I ever went through is all for them. They can go to college, all on me and they don’t have to worry about anything…I’m thankful I can bless my kids with something I didn’t have.”
Despite the need to physically care for her kids including one with special needs, Holmes had recently started looking for work again. Bills still had to be paid. Now she has better financial freedom to provide all types of care.
Officials say the other two winning tickets were sold in Texas and Puerto Rico. Holmes has the option to receive a $188 million annuity over 30 years or take a lump sum of $127 million before federal and state taxes are withheld. According to the N.C. Education Lottery, the Scotchman store is eligible to receive a $50,000 retailer incentive award for selling the winning jackpot ticket.
The jackpot for the drawing reached an estimated $500 million by that Wednesday. The winning numbers were 11, 13, 25, 39 and 54, with the Powerball number being 19. The size of the jackpot also surpassed previous North Carolina’s powerball record of $14.4 million, which was set in February 2010. For more on this story, please refer to the Washington Post.
Residents of the state can check out how to buy North Carolina lottery tickets online in our guide.
