Thomas "Eddie" Edward Marsh
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Thomas Edward "Eddie" Marsh, age 94 of Chatham, VA. He entered into rest June 15, 2024 at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, VA. He was born October 4, 1929 in Pittsylvania County to late Vallie Adkins Marsh and the late Richard Thomas Marsh. He was married to the late Joeann Marsh.
Eddie had a natural talent for business and retail which began at the early age of 8 years old when he sold watermelons on the side of State Road 832. He went on to build "Eddie's Supermarket" in Chatham, VA and would expand to a total of 12 stores. He was a leader in retail for 66+ years. Later in life, after retirement, he ran "Eddie's Produce Stand" with his wife Joeann for many years until closing in 2016 due to a decline in her health. Outside of his life of business he was a member of White Oak Worship Center for many years and served in the Virginia National Guard and was stationed in Louisiana during the Korean Conflict. He was an avid outdoorsman, excelling at hunting and fishing. He traveled across the United States as well as Canada and Greenland hunting big game which included black bear, moose, elk, caribou, hogs, buffalo, mountain goats, rams, alligators, mule deer, whitetail deer and turkeys. Some were displayed in his supermarkets.. He also enjoyed fishing of all kinds. In his later years, he had a great passion for gardening and growing large volumes of tomatoes of all kinds which he gave out to the community.
He is survived by one daughter, Susan M. Keatts (James); one son, Thomas "Tommy" Marsh (Rita); four grandchildren, James Keatts (Andrea), Richard Keatts, Jonathan Keatts (Shelly), and Nathalie Keatts Hawkins (Emily); and five great- grandchildren, Virginia Denise Keatts, Emma Abigail Keatts, Anabeth Marie Keatts, Thomas Winchester Keatts, and Vallie Elizabeth Hawkins.
In addition to his parents, beloved wife and great grand-daughter Keira Leah Keatts, he was also predeceased by his brother, Clyde Franklin Marsh, and his sister-in-law, Ruby Church Marsh.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Norris Funeral Service, Chatham Chapel, 147 S. Main Street Chatham, VA with Rev. Roger Ewing officiating. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Burial Park, Chatham, VA. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. The family will receive friends and family at the residence from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. If anyone needs to come outside of this time, please contact a member of the family or Rita Marsh at 434-425-9394.
Norris Funeral Service, Chatham Chapel is respectfully serving the family. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Chatham Rescue Squad.
