Paul “Mark” Davidson, born on March 8, 1956, passed away April 1, 2025. Mark was a dedicated and faithful servant to his Heavenly Father for the calling he knew was his purpose; he is known in several communities in several states and countries for his selfless and tireless endeavors to support the Missions work he helped champion in Makimura, Tanzania and Conge, Haiti.
Mark is preceded in death by his parents, WG and Phroney Davidson; his grandson, Lucas Cluver; his favorite cousin (that he called sister), Angie Cheek; and two of his best friends, Dr. Stan Rampey and Dr. Les Landau. Also preceding him in death are his tomcat, Sam; his beloved cocker spaniel, Max; parakeets Pete (#1-6) and Buddy (the first of his name).
He is survived by his four daughters: Kelly Davidson of Oak Harbor, WA; Hope (Douglas) Leslie of Greer, SC; Anna (Tony) Silecch of Greer, SC; and Halle Davidson of Greer, SC; by two granddaughters: Fiona and Mallory Leslie of Greer, SC; by his four brothers: Tim (Carol) Davidson of Siler City, NC; Phil (Nancy) Davidson of Seneca, SC; Tom (Yvonne) Davidson of Charlotte, NC; and Dan (Kimberly) Davidson of Versailles, KY; by his other two best friends, Jim Pierson and Kedar Hodges; and by countless extended family and brothers- and sisters-in-Christ who know and lovingly call him “friend.” Not to be forgotten, Mark is also survived by his grand-dogs: Macie, Rose, and four others that he called ‘Butch,’ even though their names are Hook, Pluto, Wren, and Bandit.
Mark’s childhood was that of a ‘Preacher’s Kid’ in North Carolina (the 2nd in line of 5 boys), bouncing around western NC as the pastoral need demanded, while tormenting his younger brothers and arguing with the older one. During high school, he drove a school bus (like a racecar) and worked at the local grocer receiving and stocking produce (sifting out the rotten lettuce heads). Mark graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Central Wesleyan College in 1978 – aced the ASVAB (but turned down the Nuclear Submarine position) – went to try his hand at teaching – acquired his SCUBA certificate – and started his own chimney sweeping company in Liberty. The teaching thing only lasted one year before he was off to work at the plant making piano keys and gears for wind turbines. He worked at Orion Rug Company for a while too, as Manager of Operations and Inventory Control. Eventually, he decided to quit “the rat race” and re-started his journey with entrepreneurship. Starting over as “the Maintenance Man” for a handful of rental properties, Mark worked his way up to “buying dirt” for building businesses and subdivisions, helping the community whenever he could. There even was a running joke that he should open a company named AMS (Always Moving Something), since he was almost always helping one of his daughters or a family friend move (every weekend, it seemed). At one point, he built and operated a self-storage facility; and he was instrumental in helping build the Volunteers in Medical Missions office still used today.
During each endeavor though, and faithfully until the very end, Mark dedicated 10% of everything he did to Missions to ensure his work blessed others. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Mark cherished his family dearly (of which there are legions). He carried a special torch for his father, WG, and strived, throughout his life to “measure up” to the example WG lived. Mark often quoted DL Moody: “The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not to argue about it or to spend time denouncing it, but to lay a straight stick alongside it.” Mark strived to be a “straight stick” (just like his father) and even had it printed on the Memorial Folders for the service in 2008, with a follow up quote from Mark: “Moody’s quote is an accurate description of the example my father set in front of me. My Dad lived at home what he preached in the pulpit.” Today, Mark’s daughters agree: their father did, too; his entire life was lived with Integrity, Honor, and Faithful Duty to God. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Mark loved lemon pound cake, pecans, blue cheese balls, fixing things (even if they weren’t broken), taking long walks, and talking. He could talk for hours. He also loved his Tanzanian family; so much so that he had been planning a trip “home to see them” soon. Did you know that he planned and executed 14 Medical Mission Trips to Tanzania? He was on 11 of those trips but sent daughter Kelly in his place for the last one. He cried all the way to the airport when she left. Mark also loved his daughters’ dogs (because they are always willing to ‘go for a walk’ and they make good listeners). Mark’s catch phrase: “you cain’t have none… cause you just a dog!” is a phrase that the daughters have continued in his honor when the furkids whine for dinner scraps. It is unknown exactly how many raw eggs he sneaked to them behind the girls’ backs. Mark enjoyed being in charge; he had a really hard time delegating any task he felt he could do himself. Kelly started calling him ‘Dominus’ in 2010 and it stuck. The girls all recognize the title and the meaning it carries: Head of Household.
Although Mark was stubbornly long-winded, held an uncanny ability to beat them at any game (not the digital ones, though), had countless corny Dad-jokes, and was incredibly consistent with being late – to every appointment, his daughters love him dearly and miss him ‘more.’ When given a chance to have a Proud Dad moment, he would gush at “How SPECIALLLL” whatever it was, was, and would ‘break his arm patting his own back’ at how smart he raised his girls to be. “Aim for the B!” he would encourage, when any of the girls were overwhelmed – knowing perfection is what they strive for (by nature). He didn’t teach any of them how to change a tire mind you, instead choosing to teach leading by example, always stacking AND cutting the deck, and “showing up for the important parts” (late). “Always take care of your sister before you take care of yourself,” was a mantra he drilled into them; “Do the right thing even if it turns out wrong” was another.
Despite his best efforts in expressing his wishes and hoping his daughters listen, they have arranged a Memorial Service anyway. On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Mark’s four daughters will once again, for the fifth time ever recorded, all be in the same place at the same time. Meet them at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Seneca at 10am for a Service, followed immediately by Reception. (Private Interment will happen at a later date.) Please bring your favorite Dad-jokes to share and be sure to tell the girls how much Mark inspired you, too. For those who wish to join virtually, the service will be live streamed on Ascension’s YouTube channel. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Ascension Episcopal Church’s Conge Mission Fund; Volunteers in Medical Missions; or to your favorite Missions-minded organization. When you think of Mark, remember that he was never a stranger to anyone he met; never unkind, spiteful or judgmental to any circumstance he encountered. In that memory, please strive to be kind to everyone you meet (fighting battles you cannot see) and remember to faithfully pray with a thankful heart. (Romans 8:28)
The Sosebee Mortuary and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
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