While many believe patience is a virtue, for Debra Ross of Charlotte, impatience led to a $100,000 scratch-off win.

“The lady in front of me at the counter was taking too long so I walked over to the machine to buy there instead,” she recalled.

Her decision to buy from that lottery vending machine became a $100,000 choice.

“I saw the amount and was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s $100,000,’” she said.

Ross, a 61-year-old network engineer, bought her $25 Spectacular Riches ticket on Good Friday from the Publix Super Market on South Tryon Street in Charlotte.

“That was a good Friday on Good Friday,” she laughed.

Ross collected her prize at lottery headquarters Monday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $71,257.

“I am very, very happy,” she said. “Happy and smiling.”

Ross said she would use her winnings to pay some bills and put the rest in savings.

Spectacular Riches debuted in October 2021 with eight $1,000,000 prizes and 20 $100,000 prizes. Two $1,000,000 prizes and six $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-off games make it possible for the lottery to raise $2.5 million a day on average for education. For details on how $61.8 million raised by the lottery made a difference in Mecklenburg County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.