Her lucky ticket was purchased from J.D.’S Truck Stop Inc. on Crab Tree Road in Waynesville.

Ponton claimed her prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. She had the choice of taking the $1 million as an annuity of 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. Ponton chose the lump sum and took home $424,503 after required state and federal tax withholdings.

Carolina Black Millionaire Edition launched this month with five top prizes of $1 million. Four top prizes remain to be won.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $725 million a year for education. For details on how $2.9 million made a difference in Haywood County in 2019, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.