By NICOLE LOGGINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Community activist Bonnie Atchison celebrated her 80th birthday with her family, friends and fellow community members Jan. 21.

Atchison’s family hosted a luncheon in her honor at Bernie’s On Main and a reception at her home afterward.

Atchison has lived in Columbiana for more than 35 years. The former English, speech and drama teacher retired from Shelby County High School in 1993 and hasn’t slowed down since.

Atchison is a former director of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, a position she held for 10 years. She is currently the curator at the Museum of George Washington in Columbiana.

At the reception, Atchison greeted her guests with true Southern hospitality and warm hugs.

“It’s so wonderful. They’re here all the way from Virginia to California. We had 70 people at the luncheon,” she said as she greeted each guest that entered.

The honoree wore a pink birthday crown to match her perfectly manicured pink nails and spent time catching up with friends and family.

“My children did this. They told me they would take me anywhere I wanted to go, on a trip anywhere in the world, and I just told them that I really just wanted to do something at my home here in Columbiana,” Atchison said.