North Carolina

Mom scratches her North Carolina lottery ticket — then almost passes out in kitchen

North Carolina Education Lottery

Shannon Overby has had a tough time lately.

Between losing family members and struggling with health issues, the mom said she’s tried to stay positive, according to a June 22 news release from the North Carolina Education Lottery.

Recently, Overby brought home a The Price is Right scratch-off ticket from Mayodan Marathon in Mayodan, North Carolina, officials said.

When she got home, Overby told her son, “I’m going to win this,” she said. Then she scratched her $5 ticket — and revealed her $200,000 prize.

“I spoke it into existence,” she told officials. “I about passed out in my kitchen...then I just hugged my son.”

After taxes, Overby took home $142,501, according to lottery officials.

“I want people to know that being positive through trials and tribulations really does get you a win in the end,” she said, per the news release. “Just keep being positive and it will come back to you.”

Overby said she plans to use her winnings to pay off her car and help out a local funeral home and animal shelter. She’ll put the rest into her savings and other investments.

“You couldn’t have a more grateful person to win this,” Overby told officials. “I’ve probably cried every day since I won; definitely happy tears.”

Mayodan is about 110 northwest of Raleigh.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2023 at 6:02 PM with the headline "Mom scratches her North Carolina lottery ticket — then almost passes out in kitchen."

Moira Ritter
mcclatchy-newsroom
Moira Ritter covers real-time news for McClatchy. She is a graduate of Georgetown University where she studied government, journalism and German. Previously, she reported for CNN Business.
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