Johnston County Woman’s Lucky Numbers Led To $100,000 Powerball Win

(Left to right) Sherry Newman-May and her spouse Mel May. Contributed photo

WILLOW SPRING – Sherry Newman-May of Willow Spring celebrated early Tuesday morning after her lucky numbers delivered her a $100,000 Powerball prize.

“We picked some of our favorite numbers and we’ve been playing them for years,” she said. “I guess it paid off.”

Newman-May, 56, bought her lucky $3 Power Play ticket for Monday’s Powerball drawing using Online Play on the lottery’s website. She said she started buying her tickets online during COVID because of the convenience.

She matched numbers on four white balls and the Powerball to win $50,000. The prize doubled to $100,000 when the 2X Power Play multiplier hit

“When I saw the numbers, I just thought, ‘Oh my goodness,’” Newman-May said. “I was in a little bit of shock.”

She claimed her prize Thursday at lottery headquarters and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $71,011. She said she would use her winnings to pay some bills and put the rest in the bank.