Southeast Missouri woman wins $50,000 in lottery

QULIN, Mo. -- A quick run to the store for some groceries and a bingo Scratchers ticket for her mother earned Beth Grayson of Qulin her own $50,000 Missouri Lottery Scratchers prize.

"I had to run out to the store, and my mom wanted a bingo. So I stopped in to get her some bingos, and I got myself a ticket," said Grayson, who purchased her winning "$50,000 Crossword Extra" Scratchers ticket March 22 from K & K Corner Store, 13726 Highway 53, in Qulin.

"I went out to the car and scratched my ticket while I was sitting there and won $5. I decided to go back in and get a crossword. When I got home, I gave mom her tickets, and I started playing mine," Grayson said. "Mom said she was watching my face while playing and saw the color draining out of my face, while I was counting on my fingers."

Grayson, who works in home health, had her mother count the number of words she uncovered on the crossword ticket. The mother and daughter then concluded Grayson had uncovered 11 words, awarding a $50,000 prize.

"My husband was at work, so I had to call and tell him. He called me a liar and asked me why I was really calling," Grayson said, laughing.

The mother of two and her husband had begun looking into buying their first home when Grayson won her $50,000 top prize. The couple plan on putting the prize towards a down payment.

"We were already looking around, but this made it a reality. I think my kids will finally be able to have a dog, too," Grayson said.