Pastor John W. Davis was born in Ghent, Kentucky on April 7, 1922. He was the oldest of seven sons born to his late parents Allen and Anna.  On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the angel of death visited the Mt. Zion Baptist Church family and took beloved Pastor, Reverend John W. Davis to his Eternal Home.
 
Pastor Davis was educated in the public schools of Ghent and graduated from Carrollton High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Army where he fought for his country in World War II and Vietnam. He diligently served his country for 21 years., retiring in 1962 as a First Sargent.
 
Along Pastor Davis’ life journey, he met and married his forever love, Ruth Burns of North Carolina whom he affectionately called “Ruthie.” After uniting in marriage, they built a family together and their union was blessed with two daughters Lanie T. Frazier and Helen Young who preceded him in death. He worked hard to provide for his family, including working for years in the family business, D.C. Auto Wholesalers, as Office Business Manager before retiring to Pastor Mt. Zion Baptist Church full-time. No matter where he worked, he was always mindful of the care and concern his daughters and wife had for him.
 
God called him to the ministry in 1972. He was led to preach because of a burning desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was quoted having said, “I had to preach the word. I would preach the word of God if there were only one unsaved soul on earth and for that one soul I would be concerned.” To further equip himself and deepen his theological well, he attended the Washington Baptist Seminary and graduated in 1977. He served as Student Council President for three years. He graduated from the Liberty Bible College in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1979. He obtained the Bachelor of Bible Theology from the International Bible Institute and Seminary in 1984 and in 1985 he was honored with the Doctor of Divinity.
 
Pastor Davis was licensed to preach by the organizer of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Reverend Richard A. Carroll and ordained on May 1, 1976 by Reverend Andrew Fowler. He was called by Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1981 to be their Senior Pastor and began making preparation for his pastorship which he held until his death. A man of many talents and an influential leader, he represented the 700 Club in the D.C. area, was a member of the Missionary Baptist  Ministers Conference of D.C. and Vicinity, serving as Statistician and Chairman of the Hearing Committee.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason, MECCA Temple No. 10. and received numerous accolades, honors, awards, plaques, and certificates for his exemplary life’s work.
 
Pastor Davis taught weekly Bible Study and held Prayer Service faithfully. Sunday school was a priority for him. His ministry took him to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons to visit and pray for others. He lived his life heeding the instruction of the Great Commission of our resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ to His disciple (Pastor John W Davis), to spread His teachings to all the nations of the world. All that knew him personally or encountered him would say that he had the patience of Job and was humble with character marked by integrity, not arrogance or pride, and a great love for the Lord.
 
Under his pastorate and leadership, many sons and daughters were licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He ordained many deacons, christened many babies, baptized many souls, performed many weddings, and eulogized many as well.
 
Out of self, into Christ, and into Glory are steps to be taken to enter heaven and Pastor Davis was certainly out of self and into Christ while on earth. Now, he is in Glory where there is no more pain, sorrow, weeping or disappointment. God truly prepared him for his Eternal home.
 
Paul wrote in Thessalonians “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so then also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” So, the face shall look on us again, the voice that has left this world so tuneless shall bless our ears, and we shall see our loved one, Pastor John W. Davis again and will be with him forevermore.

In the evening on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, Pastor Davis departed this life at 99 years of age to be with the Lord.  He is preceded in death by his cherished daughters, Lanie Frazier and Helen Young, and grandson Michael Young. He is survived by his devoted and beloved wife, Ruth Davis whom he loved and cared for deeply. His brothers, Sammuel, Steve, Don, Vernon and their spouses; (6) grandchildren, Selina, Linette, Linwood Jr.(Terry), Lewis Jr.(Amal), Milini(Nakia) and Azieb, (10) great-grandchildren, (2) great-great-grandchildren; Sister-in-law Effie Mercer, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, clergymen and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church family.