PlaySmart Logo
Powerball Logo Jackpot Estimate $101 Million Cash Value $45.7 Million Next Drawing Wed, Jun 18 Latest Drawing Mon, Jun 16
17 21 23 27 52 19
POWERPLAY X5
Game Info Buy Now
Mega Millions Logo Jackpot Estimate $302 Million Cash Value $136 Million Next Drawing Fri, Jun 20 Latest Drawing Tue, Jun 17
16 23 39 46 55 12
Game Info Buy Now
Cash 5 Logo Jackpot Estimate $100,000 Next Daily Drawing Wed, Jun 18 Latest Drawing Tue, Jun 17
1 14 16 21 33
DoublePlay
2 10 26 32 34
Game Info Buy Now
Lucky for Life Logo Top Prizes $1,000/day for life or $25,000/year for life. Next Daily Drawing Wed, Jun 18 Latest Drawing Tue, Jun 17
4 7 28 36 46 2
 
Game Info Buy Now
Pick 4 Logo Latest Daytime Drawing Wed, Jun 18
6 7 6 4 2
Latest Evening Drawing Tue, Jun 17
7 0 7 9 9
Game Info Buy Now
Pick 3 Logo Latest Daytime Drawing Wed, Jun 18
2 5 7 5
Latest Evening Drawing Tue, Jun 17
8 0 0 1
Game Info Buy Now
Cash POP Logo
Game Info Find Store
Keno Logo

Win up to $1,000,000 every 4 minutes

Big Thrills Served Fast.
Watch Draw Find Store
FastPlay Logo
Progressive Jackpot Estimate
$85,423 Updated: Wednesday, 5:47:06 PM
View Games Find Store
news blog > article

Durham couple start dancing after winning $200,000 lottery prize

May 25, 2018 Posted by NC Lottery at 9:09 AM
image-photo

Johnnie Ponder of Durham said she and her husband started dancing after they won a $200,000 lottery prize.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Ponder said. “I told my husband, and he just did a happy-dance.”

The retired school teacher’s good luck happened when she asked her husband to buy some lottery tickets.

“I had some extra money,” Ponder explained. “I hadn’t played the lottery in a while, so I figured, ‘Why not?’”

Her husband went to the Boulevard Family Fare on Chapel Hill Boulevard in Durham and bought five Cash Vault tickets.

“I scratched the first four tickets and didn’t win anything,” Ponder described. “When I got to the fifth one, I saw the $200,000. I thought I was seeing things. I had my daughter come over just to make sure. I never actually thought it would happen to me.”

Ponder, with her husband and daughter in tow, claimed her prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $141,003. She plans to use some of the money to pay bills. She also plans to go on a special trip with her husband.  

Congratulations!

19 COMMENTS

Login to leave a comment.

5/29/2018 07:44 - Danny P.

There was a Jeep drawing 4/04/2018! The winner was Richard Whitlow. The final drawing.NC Lottery
Hey Danny -- you are correct! We just misread the date. Apologies for the response below.

5/29/2018 10:36 - joanie m.

Congrats to you both I looked for your picture on winners I did not see you I was looking for a friend who just won the last jeep in April 2018 I did not see his picture or name I know some people don't post their picture But usually their name NC Lottery
Hi Joanie, We can help you find their name! If you navigate to the "Draws" page and select the tab "Second Chance" and then deselect "My Entries" and select "All" from the drop-down menu, you will be in the right place. There, you will find the Jeep Second Chance drawing winners. The winner from April 2017 was Richard Whitlow of Mt. Mourne, NC. Edit 5/30 - Danny P. corrected us -- there was indeed a drawing in April 2018, we misstated the date in our earlier response to you, Joanie. Our apologies.

5/29/2018 09:18 - George H.

CONGRATS. GREAT WIN!!!

5/28/2018 11:05 - Latishia F.

Congratulations to this couple! Well deserved for a retired educator. It's what the Lottery is about. Right?! Getting some of this lucky bull city energy flowing my way.

5/28/2018 02:33 - jackie w.

Is it true a million dollar ticket was sold in Roxboro on the extreme millions ticket? Congrats if so and congrats to all who win and GOD bless our service men and women and veterans on this Memorial day Monday!NC Lottery
It's true, Jackie! Here's a link to the story: https://bit.ly/2IPBIIp

5/28/2018 01:41 - Gloria C.

Congratulations to you and your family.

5/28/2018 03:03 - xinyu H.

Congrats to the winners. I'm still hoping for a nice win myself ,???

5/27/2018 10:24 - Paulita P.

Congratulations! I was tickled when I read the headlines. Lol... So happy for you!NC Lottery
We agree, it was such a sweet reaction!

5/27/2018 10:11 - Maurice H.

BLESS YOU!

5/27/2018 12:38 - Kelli P.

Where was the Cash 5 winning ticket sold on May 22nd in Raleigh?NC Lottery
Hey Kelli! The Cash 5 winning ticket from May 22 was sold at the Lowes Foods on NC Hwy 42 West in Raleigh. Thanks!

5/26/2018 10:31 - Phyllis N.

Congrats to the winners. I'm still hoping for a nice win myself.

5/26/2018 09:56 - Jennifer S.

I'm green with envy! I have bought so many Cash Vault tickets! Congrats!

5/26/2018 10:04 - Barbara W.

Congratulations.

5/26/2018 09:52 - Denver G.

I didn't win big , but I was 1 of 27 players to have 4 of 5 in last nights cash5. Second time this year ! Forget the hot dogs. We'll be having steaks on the grill this weekend!NC Lottery
That's excellent news, Denver, congratulations! Sounds like a great way to celebrate it, too.

5/26/2018 07:14 - Eddie J.

Durham sure has a lucky streak every time I come on this page I don't never see Rocky Mount on here at all for nothing seems like Durham is getting some special attention too me....But who knows.NC Lottery
You're right, Eddie. Durham has been having a few good weeks -- and we're looking forward to seeing more winners from all over the state! All it takes is one lucky ticket, no matter where you are.

5/25/2018 06:04 - Jacquelyn I C.

Love to see an educator winNC Lottery
So do we, Jacki!

5/25/2018 01:48 - Joseph B.

LOVE IT !!!! Go Retired Teachers!!! Very much deserved!!!

5/25/2018 11:52 - Amanda C.

So happy for you both congratulations .

5/25/2018 11:42 - Gregory F.

Congrats to the winner that is a blessing from GOD .I would be dancing to if I won that amount of money. Another big winner in the Durham area put some big money in Ahoskie please.

Helpful Links

Where to Play
Contact Us
Videos
Business Opportunities
For Retailers
Help
Rules & Terms
Privacy
Disclaimer
Sports Betting

Get the Mobile App

Apple App Store   Google Play Store

No Longer Just a Game? There's Help
Call 877-718-5543 Text "morethanagamenc" to 53342 Chat morethanagamenc.com

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Odds to win a prize and the top prize vary based on the game or promotion. See game or promotion pages for more detail.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the winning numbers posted on this website are accurate; however, no valid claim may be based on information contained herein. In the event of a discrepancy between the numbers posted on this website and the official winning numbers, the official winning numbers as certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL shall control. All materials on this Website are owned by or licensed to the NCEL. Materials on this Website may not be modified in any way or reproduced or publicly displayed, performed or distributed or otherwise used for any public or commercial purpose without the express written consent of the NCEL. Copyright © 2006-2025. The North Carolina Education Lottery. All rights reserved. Play Smart™ term is a service mark of the Illinois Lottery licensed to the NCEL.