REGIONAL: Rowan County grandmother to share $1 million prize with family

Published 9:06 am Thursday, March 18, 2021

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April Woodberry of East Spencer is already “blessed” with a big family, but on Tuesday, her good fortune delivered her a $1 million top prize, too.

“I have 19 grandkids,” she shared Wednesday as she claimed her prize at lottery headquarters. “I got twin granddaughters that are due next month and I’m going to help my grandchildren and my children out,” she said. “When the twins get here, I’ll have 21 — seven boys and 14 girls!”

Woodberry purchased her winning $30 Millionaire Maker ticket from the Circle K on South Salisbury Street in Spencer.

Sitting in her car outside the store, she scratched her ticket.

“On the first row, I didn’t get anything,” she recalled. “Then, when I scratched the amount, my mouth just flew open and my eyes got so big! I had to keep looking at that ticket because I was in disbelief.”

Woodberry had the option of taking the $1 million as an annuity of $50,000 a year over 20 years, or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum and took home $424,509 after required federal and state tax withholdings.

She plans to continue working, just like she has for the past 21 years, as a sowing machine operator.

“I love my job,” said Woodberry.

Millionaire Maker is the first scratch-off to offer 30 $1 million prizes. Woodberry became the third person to win one of those $1 million prizes.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs like Millionaire Maker make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million a year for education. For details on how $7.4 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Rowan County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.