MACON, Ga. — When an S&S Cafeteria employee announced his retirement, many said it was much deserved.
S&S Cafeteria started back in 1936, and Jimmie Scott has worked there for 65 years. Now he's hanging up his apron and retiring.
Jimmie Scott was born in Wrightsville, Georgia in 1939.
His first job was as a dishwasher at the S&S Cafeteria on Cherry Street. Then, he was promoted to dining room supervisor and quickly realized the thing he loves to do the most is make people happy.
"They took care of me and looked out for me for 65 years, and for that I am grateful," Scott said.
To many, Scott is an icon in Macon but he said he's just happy to serve people.
Friends, family, staff members, and even Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller gathered on Wednesday to celebrate him. They reminisced on his hard work and said Scott had a lifelong dedication to serving his community.
He worked at the Riverside location in the 1970s and has worked at the Bloomfield location since the 1980s. He says the customers are what made his experience special.
"When they come in, seeing them with a smile on their face now that's what I'm talking about," Scott said.
He has 7 children but gained an even bigger family throughout his time at S&S Cafeteria.
"Customers come in and I know I ask them how they're doing like 'Ya'll doing okay today?' to put a smile on their face," Scott said. "Then they smile and say, 'We're doing really great right here Mr. Jimmie!'"
Kevin Heide is the general manager at S&S Cafeteria and has seen how much Scott can light up a room. He said that working side by side with Scott for 15 years is an honor.
Although he's retiring, Heide said this won't be Scott's last time at an S&S Cafeteria.
"This is his home," Heide said. "This is his life. To amplify the service, I think that's one of the biggest things. He's always service-oriented. He treats them all with his heart."
When it comes to Scott's plans for retirement, he said he'll only sit back and relax for a little bit.
"I might take a little trip or a little vacation, but I'm coming back," Scott said.
Mayor Lester Miller officially declared Feb. 21, 2024, as Jimmie Scott Day.
They concluded the retirement celebration with pictures, speeches, and lots of cake.