Siblings come forward to claim prize in retired game three days before it expired

By Kate Northrop

SOUTHPORT, N.C. — A brother and sister from North Carolina claimed a $25,000 a year for life prize in the retired Lucky for Life multi-state lottery game with just three days left on the clock.

Had they waited just three more days, a brother-sister duo would not have been able to claim a $25,000 a year for life Lucky for Life lottery prize.

The Lucky for Life multi-state game may have been replaced by Millionaire for Life, but that doesn't mean winning tickets for the old Lucky for Life and Cash4Life games can't still be validated.

There was still a $25,000 year for life prize that had yet to be claimed. In fact, it was due to expire yesterday.

Jason and Marci Lowry, a brother and sister duo from Winnabow, stepped forward to claim one of the remaining prizes on Monday, June 22. The North Carolina Lottery had just put out an announcement about the expiring prize a few days prior on June 18.

Luckily, the Lowry's presented the winning ticket, which they purchased with numbers inspired by family birthdays.

"We are thrilled that the winning numbers represent special dates," they told Lottery officials.

The retailer that sold the winning ticket was E-Z Way Grocery on North Howe Street in Southport, and it happened to match all five white balls in the Dec. 27, 2025 drawing: 8, 12, 24, 26, and 42. They missed the Lucky Ball 17 to win $1,000 a day for life but still beat the odds of 1 in 1.8 million to win the second-tier prize.

"This is really sweet," Jason remarked.

The Lowrys visited Lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Monday to claim their prize as a one-time lump sum, and they chose to split the $390,000 amount down the middle for $195,000 per person. After taxes, they each took home $140,443.

With the winnings, they both plan to pay bills and make car and home repairs.