Sometimes the best surprises come when you least expect them. That’s exactly what happened to a LaGrange, Ky. woman who recently turned a routine trip to her local gas station in Pendleton, Ky. into a life-changing moment, winning $50,000 from the July 15, 2026, Powerball drawing.

Margaret Trippett’s winning ticket wasn’t just a stroke of luck – it was a family affair. Her winning Powerball numbers are inspired by family birthdays and anniversaries.

“My husband’s birthday, my anniversary, my sister’s and children’s birthdays; Those numbers mean a lot to me,” Trippett said. “This time, they really paid off!”

Trippett takes her Powerball tickets to Smart Shop in Pendleton to check to see how much she wins. On this occasion, the store clerk informed her that Smart Shop couldn’t cash it due to the winnings exceeding the store’s cashing limit.

“That’s when I called my son,” she said. “He said, ‘Mom, I think you won $50,000!’ I couldn’t believe it,” Trippett recalled. “I thought it was just a couple thousand!”

Trippett’s winning ticket – 2, 6, 7, 18, 29 with a Powerball of 16 – matched four white ball numbers and the Powerball to win the game’s $50,000 prize.

The winning jackpot numbers for the July 15 drawing were – 2 , 7, 18, 29, 38 with a Powerball of 16.

After taxes, Trippett received a check for nearly $30,000, and she already has plans for it: pay off her car and celebrate with family.

Her win comes at a meaningful time for her family, too. Trippett’s wedding anniversary is just around the corner, and she says the prize is a perfect early gift.

“We’ve had a rough year, losing several family members, so this win feels like a blessing,” she said. “I’m going to dinner with family to celebrate it,” she said.

Smart Shop will receive $500 for selling the winning ticket.