Woman Working Graveyards Says “I’m the One!”

Drawing Date: 11/18/2014

December 1, 2014 - For quite a while we’ve been wondering who bought a Mega Millions ticket in San Jose, Calif., that matched five out of six numbers in the draw on November 18 to win $463,395. After checking her ticket at the store where that slip was sold, Jaylene Smith proclaimed “I’m the one!”

Smith hand-delivered her ticket to the California Lottery’s East Bay District Office in Hayward last week. She told us that she had the ticket, worth nearly a half million dollars, stuffed in a keepsake box in her home, completely unaware of its tremendous value. Once she discovered her win, Smith said she did exactly what the store clerk told her to do, “Sign the back of your ticket right now! You go straight home!”

It’s not like she didn’t have plenty to do during this time. Smith was busy – VERY busy – working the graveyard shift stocking shelves at a local supermarket. She had never pictured herself rolling in dough. “Heck no,” Smith said. “I work paycheck to paycheck.”

The check she’ll be getting from the Lottery will make things easier for her. “I only have a few more years and I’m done,” Smith said. “I’ll retire.” Do you blame her? Smith has been working in the grocery business for almost 27 years.

Smith bought her ticket at Gas N Go, which is located at 621 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose (Santa Clara County). It correctly matched the numbers 53-68-39-37 and 75, missing only the Mega number 6.

Remember, she was just one number off from hitting the estimated $35 million jackpot that night. Yet Smith is so grateful for her win, she isn’t even thinking about what could have been. “No, not at all. I’m not greedy,” Smith said, before adding a little extra encouragement for other Lottery players. “It’s all luck,” Smith said. “When it’s your turn, it’s your turn.”