RALEIGH – Diana Forbes, a retiree from Elizabeth City, plans to use the $1 million prize she won playing Powerball to pay off her mortgage, travel and purchase new American-made cars for herself and for her son.

Forbes’ Quick Pick ticket matched all five white balls but not the red Powerball in the Oct. 22 drawing, beating odds of one in 5.1 million. She learned of her big win the next morning when she called the lottery’s hotline to check her numbers.

“It was really surreal,” Forbes said. “I called twice to make sure I had the numbers written down correctly. Then I woke up my husband and said ‘Honey, I think we won a nice prize.’ This will change our lives in a lot of ways for the better. I’m definitely going to live a little easier.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Forbes received a check for $692,000. She purchased the lucky ticket at the Eagle Mart on North Road Street in Elizabeth City.

As she collected her winnings on Monday, Forbes said that she appreciates that the money she spends on the lottery goes to a good cause.

“The better your education, the better your life,” Forbes said. “It’s important for the kids to know that we are behind them. I appreciate what the lottery does for education. That money couldn’t go to a better place.”

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.5 billion for the state. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how more than $11.3 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Pasquotank County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.