Thomasina Smith-Ross of Cameron says she will finally be able to remodel her house after winning a Cash 5 jackpot.

Smith-Ross, who works in sales, was one of two people to beat the odds of 1 in 749,398 in Tuesday’s drawing to split the $985,106 Cash 5 jackpot. Her half of the jackpot was $492,553.

“We’ve wanted to add an extra bedroom for a long time,” Smith-Ross said. “This will definitely help pay for it.”

She bought the $1 Quick Pick ticket at the J Cash Mart on Carthage Street in Cameron. When she realized her ticket matched all five numbers, she couldn’t believe it.

“I started freaking out,” Smith-Ross said. “It’s crazy. It feels like it isn’t real.”

She claimed her prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $342,329.

The second winning Cash 5 ticket was sold at Southeast Energy on Airport Road in Arden. Winners have 180 days to claim their prize.

Ticket sales from games like Cash 5 made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $634 million for the state last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Moore County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.