Deacon Doctor Mark Hosea Davis, Senior, a lifelong champion for children, was born December 17, 1953, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as a result of the union of Reverend William Samuel Davis and Maggie Mae Davis (nee Holmes). Some of his childhood years were spent in Magnolia, Arkansas, but he was a product of the Muskogee Public Schools, earning his diploma from Muskogee High School in 1972.

After high school, Mark enrolled at Langston University, a historically black institution, where he was a scholar musician. He played trombone in the marching band and earned his Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Music Education in 1976. While voyaging on many endeavors during his college days, he was granted a blessing in the discovery of who would become his wife of over 40 years, Dr. Evia Louise Davis (nee Brown). Together, they journeyed onto graduate studies at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Upon graduating with a Master's degree, he married Evia, and favor found its way to their union. Their first child, Nicole, was conceived. She was born in July of 1979, and afterwards, Mark subsequently taught at Ibadan Polytechnic University in Nigeria.

The Davis family's prioritizing of academic achievement continued, and Mark and Evia found their way to Saint Louis, Missouri to enroll at Washington and Saint Louis Universities, respectively, to pursue doctoral studies. In the midst of their pursuit, the Lord saw fit for them to welcome a second child, Mark the Second, born in February of 1984. He was sure to instill the same love for and knowledge of Christ in his children. It was during this era that Mark Senior pursued what would become almost three decades of service as a music specialist and district music coordinator for the St. Louis, University City and Normandy Public Schools.

While Mark confessed his belief in Christ at an early age, the family and many others were blessed to witness the development of his faith through the works that followed him. He became a member of New Sunny Mount Baptist Church in 1991, with his wife and children in tow, under the leadership of Pastor Donald Hunter. A few years later, he developed his ministry with the church by becoming a Sunday school teacher and an ordained deacon. The Lord's Light continued to shine through him as he and Evia earned their doctorate degrees in 1993 and 1994, respectively. During this era, and with the support of his church and many others, he established Akwaaba, Incorporated, an organization with a mission of supporting the people of Gomoa Obuasi, Ghana. He subsequently led the family to Africa on annual charity voyages during the summers from 1995 until 2003.

In 2000, he and his wife were called by the late Dr. Ernest L Holloway, Sr., to return to lead in professorial roles at Langston University. It was during this era he was blessed to witness some of the fruit of his labor: his daughter matriculated from college and graduate studies, and became a clinical trials project manager. Mark was also able to witness his son became an ordained deacon at the very same church in 2009 and give the annual deacon and trustee day message in 2016. He also lived to see his son become an educator like him; Mark, Jr., became an elementary school principal and graduated from higher education studies, having earned his doctorate degree in 2016.

Mark was a strong supporter of his brotherhood and pledged into the Beta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity while at Langston in 1974. He became a life member of the fraternity, serving in various roles over a 45 year period, including: Dean of Pledges, Chapter President (undergraduate and alumni) and Chapter Advisor. There weren't too many moments that went by where he didn't require his brothers to "check on the life member 2404." He made sure his son understood what would be required of him later on in life.

Mark retired from public education in 2014 and enjoyed retirement, spending a wealth of his remaining time talking to his wife, mentoring his children and many other former students he considered his children as well.

Dr. Davis, Sr., transitioned into rest and the eternal covering of the Lord on March 9, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Luke Davis, James Davis, Jeanette Davis-Savadogo, Martha Davis-Watkins, Venus Davis-Rochelle, and John Andrew Davis. He leaves the following to cherish memories and continue his legacy: his wife of over 38 years, Dr. Evia Louise Davis, eldest child Nicole Titilayo Davis, youngest child Deacon Dr. Mark Hosea Davis, II; sister, Carolyn Davis-Waugh, mother-in-law Eddie Bell Brown, brothers-in-law Willie E. Brown, Jimmie Brown, Jackson Brown Jr., Roosevelt Jones and Lee Shaw; his sisters-in-law Marilynn Clark, Wilma Jones, Henrietta Shaw, Nancy Jordan, Mary Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, students and friends.