Arlington Downtown Development Authority honors late community member, Jimmie 'Slim' Ryles

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ARLINGTON – In a small town where everyone knows everyone, most would agree that Jimmie “Slim” Ryles was an Arlington icon.

Ryles passed away at the age of 95 in 2023. To commemorate his life and unwavering presence, the Arlington Downtown Development Authority dedicated a bench in his honor – a tribute to sit along the path that the man walked each day.

Carson Ray, a pharmacist at Arlington’s local drug store, said the DDA was brainstorming ideas to help beautify Arlington’s downtown. Ray called Ryles a local legend, noting there is “no one in Arlington who didn’t have some kind of relationship with the man.” So Ray said the DDA thought it fitting to honor him with a bench that includes an engraved plaque located along the sidewalk next to Sweet Georgia Brown on North Highland Avenue.

“It’ll be here for a long time, and everybody will be able to remember Slim,” Ray said. “Slim was known for walking up and down these streets. I like to think he’s walking those streets of gold now, but we’ll be thinking about him for a long time because of this bench.”

Ryles was a town fixture in Arlington. For about four decades, he walked the streets of the small city, seeking company and conversation with community members. He stopped into convenience stores, the pharmacy, the bank, City Hall and anywhere else he might be able to socialize for a minute.

Friends of Ryles said the man never owned a car, instead he relied on his own two feet and the kindness of strangers turned friends to give him rides. He worked in Albany for almost 30 years at the Jamison Bedding Co., traveling about 40 miles into the city by carpooling with other Arlington residents who commuted to the city for work.

“For anyone to be 95 years old and never owned a vehicle, he must have walked 100,000 miles,” Ryles’ friend and fellow Arlington resident, Chuck Cowart said.

Cowart said he got to know Ryles about 20 years ago by eating at Arlington’s Senior Center, which has since closed. He had conversations with Ryles twice a week and started giving him rides to different parts of town.

Cowart said Ryles shuffled along the streets of Arlington; although, over the years he couldn’t make it to his favorite spots as quickly as he used to. So the community banded together to get the senior where he wanted to go.

Cowart said Ryles led an unusual life, but the people of Arlington loved and were devoted to him. Arlington Mayor Jerome Brackins said Ryles was a hero for everyone who lived in town.

“He was a man who walked the streets of Arlington all his life with a smile,” Brackins said. “Slim met no stranger. He was cared for by many people.”

The mayor said Ryles was kind and a constant inspiration to keep moving forward.

Turner Bostwick, an Arlington resident and the town’s former mayor, said he knew Ryles for about 75 years. He shared with the crowd of about 25 community members a story from his childhood with Ryles.

When Bostwick was 10 years old, he said he and Ryles would eat bacon from Ben Garrett’s grocery store on Saturday mornings. They’d then drive with Garrett to Nantze Springs to care for Garrett’s cows and play “cowboys and Indians.”

Bostwick said Ryles never had any close family.

“But we were his family,” the former mayor said.

Chris Cowart, Chuck’s son, said Ryles touched every community member no matter their age or background. He said Ryles meant a lot to his 28-year-old son who grew up walking around Arlington and seeing Ryles.

Chris’ son plays music and sings. He changed the lyrics of a song he and a friend frequently cover called “South of Atlanta,” singing “Ol’ slim’s at the Citgo. Take him back to the bank. He’ll say ‘God bless ya and the Good Lord’s to thank.’”

“It just shows how much he meant to young, old, Black, white – it didn’t matter,” Chris Cowart said.

Cowart said the bench is more than just a seat; it represents a space for the community to gather, remember, and celebrate the life of a man who brought people together. He said the city has plans to add trees and plants to the space and include more developments like a space for live music performances. This is just one part of a citywide plan.

Arlington has plans to redevelop its parks and recreation spaces. Another renovation plan that calls for a recreational park to include courts for pickleball, tennis and a splash pad is currently being discussed.

Polimeshia Williams said it feels good to see Ryles be recognized in the town he loved.

For Williams, who grew up in Ryles’ neighborhood, “Tony Town,” the man’s presence was an integral part of daily life. She said she saw him each day walking down Arlington’s main street with paper bags in both hands.

“His presence is definitely missed,” she said.

Williams said Ryles would have been excited about the bench.

“He’d say, ‘Y’all didn’t need to do that for lil ol’ me,’” she said.

Friends of Ryles said he was humble and sweet. The respect he cultivated across generations affirms that in small towns like Arlington, the bonds of community endure.

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
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Staff Photo Lucille Lannigan
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