The Gail Lewis Signing Out meme originated from a viral TikTok posted in late 2023 by Gail Lewis, a dedicated Walmart associate from Morris, Illinois. In the video, she emotionally announces her departure over the store radio after ten years of service, marking the end of an era. The internet quickly transformed this sincere moment into a symbol of heroic retirement, often treating her departure with the same gravitas as a legendary athlete hanging up their jersey. Users now use the template to humorously announce they are leaving a situation—ranging from a stressful corporate job to a losing streak in a video game—all while channeling Gail's iconic, stoic energy as she walks away from the job for the last time.