Mr. Lamar Davis Sr.

Lamar was born on March 2, 1938, to the union of Isom Clifton Davis Sr. and Bertha Lee Spiva (Davis) Nash. He was the eldest of seven children born to this union. Lamar was raised in a loving Christian home, where his family faithfully attended St. Paul Methodist Church of Moss Point, Mississippi.

Lamar graduated from Magnolia High School in Moss Point, Mississippi. He was a proud MAGNOLA MONARCH with the CLASS OF 1957. Following High School, Lamar continued his education at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi. In 1962, he answered the call to serve his country when he enlisted into the United States Army.

On March 5,1956 Lamar welcomed his first son, Gerald Jackson, Sr., (mother, Marie Jackson). At the age of 22, Lamar married Mary E. Riley on November 14,1960 in Los Angeles, California. Two children were born to this union: Lamar Davis, Jr. and LaTanya Renee Davis.

In 1969, Lamar met the love of his life and best friend, Vanilla Gross. The two were married in November of that year, and one son, Mark T. Davis, was born to this union. Lamar and Vanilla made their home in Los Angeles, California until 1994, when they relocated to Moss Point, Mississippi. Upon returning to Mississippi, they became devoted members of Good Hope Baptist Church, Moss Point.

Although the final years of Lamar's life presented health challenges, he never stopped living fully. In July 2023, he proudly fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting Mount Rushmore. He continued to enjoy attending family reunions, graduations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, birthday celebrations, breakfast outings at Waffle House and Jackson County Senior Citizens along with many other cherished gatherings.

Lamar was preceded in death by his father, Isom Clifton Davis, Sr.; mother, Bertha Lee Spiva (Davis) Nash, stepfather, Willie Nash; wife, Vanilla Gross Davis; brothers, Isom Clifton Davis, Jr., Charlie Davis, Sr. and Raster Davis; two sisters, Dorothell Reed and Ruthie Jean Cordier; nephew, grandson, Gerald Jackson, Jr., great-grandson, Orcellious Jackson and nephew, Charlie 'Lil Chuck' Davis.

Lamar leaves to cherish his loving memory to three sons, Gerald (Essie) Jackson Sr., Lamar (Cheryl) Davis Jr., and Mark (Maryann) Davis; one daughter, LaTanya Renee Davis; sister, Hattie (Davis) Williams Salter; brothers, John Davis and Hosea (Cecelia) Davis; Six grandchildren, LaTasha D. Jackson, Shinetha S. Jackson, LaChele Davis, LakKiesha 'Joy' (Wardell) Jones, Gerald E. Jackson, III, and Mark T. Davis, Jr.; eleven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.