Lottery player plans to help family with six-figure NC prize. ‘I’m trying not to cry’

A woman’s $5 lottery ticket earned her a six-figure jackpot that she now plans to use to help her family, North Carolina lottery officials said.

Celma Marshal bought a Mystery Prize Cashword scratch-off from 365 Fast Mart on Bunce Road in Fayetteville, according to a news release from the North Carolina Education Lottery. It turned out to be the last of six $150,000 winners in the game.

“I never thought I’d win anything like this in my life,” Marshall told lottery officials. “I really want to help my family out now.”

She took home more than $106,000 on Thursday, Sept. 15, after required taxes.

“I’m just so happy I can’t even believe it,” Marshall said, according to the lottery. “I’m trying not to cry.”

Fayetteville is about 65 miles south of Raleigh.

This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Lottery player plans to help family with six-figure NC prize. ‘I’m trying not to cry’."

Emmalyse Brownstein

McClatchy DC

Emmalyse Brownstein is a National Real-Time Reporter covering the Southeast. She’s an alumna of the University of Miami, where she was editor-in-chief of Distraction Magazine. She has reported for Miami New Times, Wine Spectator and more.