One Powerball jackpot winner is N.C. mother of 4, won $188 million payout

A North Carolina woman says she is one of three winners of a $564 million Powerball jackpot, the third-largest prize ever.

A woman from Shallotte has come forward with what she believes is the winning Powerball ticket from Wednesday's drawing. Marie Holmes, 26, confirms the numbers and date on her ticket match those that were drawn for the $188 million payout.

"I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I seen the ticket," said Holmes, in an interview with WECT. "My uncle actually sold me the winning ticket."

The winning ticket was sold at the Scotchman on Whiteville Road in Shallotte, NC.
The mother of four said she screamed after the winning numbers were drawn Wednesday night and ran and told her kids. "They said I scared them," Holmes joked.

Holmes, who is not a frequent lottery player, said she was forced to quit her jobs at Walmart and McDonald's to care for her children, one of whom has cerebral palsy.

She said she intends to first pay her tithes to the church, and then set up college funds for her children."I wouldn't have none of it if it wasn't for God," said Holmes, who is from Shallotte in Brunswick County, where lottery officials say a winning ticket was sold.

North Carolina Education Lottery officials have not confirmed Holmes as the winner. "We won't know who has the winning ticket until it is brought to lottery headquarters," said Alice Garland, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. "We hope anyone who has the great luck to win a prize like this will seek sound professional advice before making a claim. A win like this is truly life-changing and we should expect the person who is going through this to take the time to make the best decisions they can. We look forward to meeting the winner."