Moment longtime Walmart employee Gail Lewis gives emotional sign-off after working at the Illinois store for 10 years: 'Today was an end of an era for me'

A beloved Walmart employee has gone viral after she posted a TikTok video of her emotional sign-off from her Illinois store.

Gail Lewis, 42, worked at the retailer's Morris location for 10 years before she made her farewell announcement that she uploaded to social media on November 16. The video has since gotten 3.2million views on TikTok. 

'Attention Walmart, this is Gail Lewis, 10-year-associate, Morris, Illinois, 844 signing out. Goodnight,' Lewis said as she spoke into a walkie-talkie. 

She then got emotional about her time at Walmart and revealed that she will be starting a new job, but it is unclear where she is heading next. 

Lewis, known for her customer service, was idolized in memes by locals after her viral video. One shopper who knew her said her 'level of dedication will not be matched.'

Gail Lewis made her final announcement as an employee at the Walmart in Morris, Illinois as she recorded it and posted it TikTok 

Since her post, Lewis has gone viral on social media and has been 'remembered' as a dedicated employee with great customer service skills 

In the second part of the viral video, Lewis sits in her car as she gets emotional about her decision.

'So today was an end of an era for me. What you just saw was me signing out for the last time at my Walmart that I have worked at for 10 years.'

'It's a happy/sad because I'm gonna be going to a better job,' Lewis says.

She goes onto reminisce on the bonds and friendships she made while at Walmart with her co-workers. 

'Those people became like family- I've been through a lot with them.'

'They watched my back, I watched theirs. They helped me out, I helped them out,' she says. 

'We even went through a f****** pandemic together.'

The post on TikTok alone has been flooded with over 40,000 comments and been posted to other social media outlets.

Some of the memes have painted Lewis as a member of the NFL, as one related her to former American football quarterback Tom Brady. 

Lewis was compared to legends in both the NFL and NBA as one commenter said: '2018 LeBron, pats Tom Brady, 2006 Kobe, 90's Jordan, gail lewis.' 

Another meme on X (formally known as Twitter) showed her on the screen at the start of a Kansas City Chiefs game, where her name was announced after running back Isiah Pacheco. 

Lewis decided to leave the major retailer after working there for 10 years and said that she will be 'better off' at her new job

One commenter reminisced on a moment he and his friend shared with Lewis in 2014 when she helped clean up a smashed gallon of milk 

Other than comical memes, people from all over the country went on to comment on Lewis's customer service skills, which seemed to have sparked her popularity. 

'Pour one out for Wal [sic] mart tomorrow. Gail Lewis, 10 year associate, Morris, IL 844 has left. They don't stand a chance this black Friday,' one said on Facebook. 

Another commenter recalled a moment they shared with Lewis back in 2014 after a gallon of milk smashed in the store. 

'That woman was up to her neck in milk. The level of dedication will not be matched,' the comment said. 

A friend who was with that poster at the time then went on to re-post it and added Lewis 'was in the trenches keeping the chaos in order.' 

Yelp reviews of the store have also been filled with notable comments about Lewis since she announced her departure. 

'Morris is home to one of the most chaotic WalMart [sic] Battlegrounds known to man. I am thankful my great Aunt Gail served and survived,' a man commented on Yelp. 

He added Lewis received 'a purple heart and medal of honor' during black Friday in 2022 when she 'handled 3 customer questions' while she cleaned spilled laundry detergent. 

Besides social media, Yelp has also been flooded with heartfelt comments about Lewis

Lewis poses with a cup of instant ramen while she wears a tee-shirt with the brand's name on it at the Walmart

Lewis has been compared to NFL and NBA legends for her time at Walmart 

Many compared Lewis to a solider who fought long and hard at Walmart and added 'SEMPER FI' at the end of their comments. 

Carrie Moses, the Morris Walmart location's store manager, told NBC: 'I am grateful to Gail for her service at the Morris, IL, store, and she will be greatly missed.'

'I wish her all the best on her future opportunities.' 

DailyMail.com reached out to Walmart's cooperate office for comment but didn't receive a response in time for this report.