Aisha Prater didn’t know what to think when her father called and told her to come home as soon as possible.

He had a $400,000 winning lottery ticket ready to give her.

“It was a surprise,” said Prater, 32, who lives in Savannah.

Prater’s father won the 20X The Money instant game after buying a lottery ticket at a Savannah convenience store.

Prater, who has a 4-year-old daughter, was recently furloughed and said the money couldn’t have come at a better time.

“He gave it to me to give me a fresh start,” she said. She said she will use the money to pay off bills.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com