Fayetteville Grandmother Wins $534K Jackpot, Plans Education Fund for Great-Grandchildren

Janet Murray from Fayetteville hit a $534,619 jackpot with a $1 Cash 5 ticket. She wants to split the winnings among her kids and create a school fund for her great-grandchildren.

"I'm going to give some to my children and open an education fund for my great-grandchildren," Murray said, per NC Education Lottery.

Murray purchased her winning ticket through Online Play for the Dec. 9 drawing. Matching all five balls? The chances sit at 1 in 962,598.

The win came at a perfect moment for the Fayetteville resident. "I won it two days before my birthday," Murray said.

She revealed her jackpot when relatives gathered during the holidays. "I told my special people on Christmas, and they were all excited," Murray said.

Murray collected her prize on Monday at the lottery headquarters in Raleigh. Federal and state taxes took their cut, leaving her with $384,979.

Cash 5 stands as one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players can buy tickets at retail spots or through Online Play. Tickets are available on the lottery's website or through the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

Monday's jackpot reached $412,000. Last year, lottery funds sent $22.4 million to Cumberland County schools.