Patricia Simmons said she had worries over monthly mortgage payments for her recently purchased home. However, it appears she no longer has to ponder about that as she won a $1 million lottery prize just a week after she bought her first home.
The Greensboro resident said she purchased the winning $30 Millionaire Maker scratch-off ticket at a Fairway One Stop store, the North Carolina Education Lottery stated in a press release, per PEOPLE.
“I just stared at it,” Simmons informed lottery officials. “It was unreal to see that.” She also said she continues to be in shock following the lottery win, adding that her husband was also equally surprised and couldn’t believe it when she told him about it.
“He said, ‘Tricia you’re playing,'” Simmons recalled. “He wanted to see the ticket.” On Monday, the in-home aide made her way to the lottery headquarters to receive her prize.
She also opted to be paid a lump sum amount of $600,000 – meaning the take-home winning was $427,509 after taxes. Simmons said she intends to use the funds to pay her monthly mortgage fees.
