Michael A. Davis was born in Camden, South Carolina, in 1972. He is the son of Tony Mike Davis, II and Gayle Baird Davis, both originally from Bishopville, South Carolina. Mike and Gayle are self employed farmers and small business owners who raised Michael and his two brothers on a farm located in Kershaw County.

Michael is an honor graduate of Thomas Sumter Academy in Dalzell, South Carolina, and also of Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina. While at Coker College, he was inducted into Psi Chi (the national psychology honor society), and he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Before being elected as the Lee County Probate Judge, Michael worked in the banking and finance industry. His most recent employer was the Finance Office for the Lee County Government.

Michael is a resident of Bishopville, South Carolina, and is a member of the Lee County Lion's Club and the Lee County Chamber of Commerce. He attends NewSpring Church in Florence, South Carolina.