Marsh was born in the unincorporated community of Grays Creek in Cumberland County, North Carolina on October 11, 1908, the son of F. A.
After graduating from college, Marsh moved to Norfolk, Virginia and was employed by the H. L. Green Stores Company.
[2] Marsh was the Norfolk County Attorney until 1955, when he was elected as a Democrat to the Virginia Senate representing the 3rd District.
The district had just been redistricted and the City of Portsmouth was removed, so the district included Norfolk County and the City of South Norfolk.
That year, the state was court-ordered to redraw the House and Senate districts in the General Assembly, and the City of Virginia Beach and Portsmouth were added.