Henry Levander Marsh III

Henry Levander Marsh III

Henry L. Marsh III, civil rights attorney, longtime state senator, and Richmond's first African-American mayor, completed his extraordinary life journey Thursday evening at the age of 91. Over seven decades of dedicated public service, Marsh devoted himself to justice, equality, and the city he loved, serving 25 years on the Richmond City Council and 22 years in the Virginia State Senate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, an organization that reflects Marsh's enduring values and commitment to equity and inclusion.

A born-and-raised Richmonder, Marsh's heart always belonged to the city he called home. He graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School and Virginia Union University before earning a law degree from Howard University. In 1961, after serving in the U.S. Army, Marsh joined civil rights icons Oliver W. Hill and Samuel W. Tucker to form Hill, Tucker, and Marsh, a Black-led law firm instrumental in the fight for justice. Together, they took on cases like Quarles v. Philip Morris, the first U.S. lawsuit addressing racial discrimination in employment, and stood as a cornerstone of legal progress during the civil rights movement. The firm's work shaped Virginia's legal and civic landscape, particularly in its challenge to Massive Resistance to school desegregation.

Elected to the Richmond City Council in 1966, Marsh became the city's first African American mayor in 1977. He served as mayor until 1982 and remained on the council until 1991 when he was elected to the state Senate, representing Richmond and surrounding areas. After retiring from the Senate in 2014, he was appointed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe as a commissioner of the Virginia ABC board. A longtime Church Hill resident, Marsh lived near the elementary school named in his honor in 2021.

Marsh's impact extended far beyond his official roles. He happily mentored multiple generations of civic and elected leaders across race, class, gender, and political affiliation. For him, supporting others in their efforts to create positive change was as important as his own accomplishments.

Though his public life spanned nearly 60 years, Marsh found joy in personal passions. He was an avid tennis player, golfer, and bid whist enthusiast, who was known for his razor wit and humor. A devoted fan of live music and the Dallas Cowboys, his belief in their eventual success demonstrated his unwavering optimism that anything is possible. Marsh is survived by his three children Nadine Marsh-Carter, Sonya M. Craft, and Dwayne S. Marsh - six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. We all rejoice that he is reunited with his beloved and dedicated wife of 58 years, Diane Harris Marsh, who left us in 2020 and without whom none of this would have been possible.

Viewing on Friday, January 31 2025 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at Manning Funeral Home, 700 N 25th Street, Richmond, CA 23223.

Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 01, 2025 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's Baptist Church (Creighton Campus), 4247 Creighton Road, Richmond, VA 23223.