Photo: Mark Makela / Getty Images
When Terri Watkins of Durham, North Carolina, got a call to let her know that she had won $ 1 million in the lottery, she couldn’t believe her ears.
“I thought it was a scam. I was a bit upset actually! “She recalled, laughing.
” I thought it wasn’t real, it couldn’t be real. It’s still something I don’t really believe in, I’m still in shock here, “said the nurse upon receiving her lottery prize.
Her ticket was chosen from over 500, 000 who entered the final second chance draw of Supreme Riches lottery for $ 300, 000 , 000 of dollars on Wednesday, January 6, the North Carolina Lottery reported in a statement.
The winners of the second chance draws receive a phone call or an email, notifying them that they won.
“I am a nurse and I work in the COVID unit in a long-term care facility, ”Watkins said. “Just looking at some of the things that I have had to see, I am very grateful. I had been praying for something to help me with this situation. It really is a great thing. I am so blessed. ”
Watkins claimed his prize Thursday at the lottery headquarters in Raleigh.
She had the option of receiving the $ 1 million dollar lottery prize as an annuity of 20 payments of $ 50, 000 per year or a lump sum of $ 600, 000.
She chose the lump sum and took home $ 424, 424 after required state and federal tax withholdings.
“I’ll take it easy and cool and find out what I’m going to do it, ”Watkins said. “I would love a new house, but I have to take some time and put it in the right place.”