Born in Toccoa, Georgia, Marbut graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1960 and Jacksonville State University in 1965. She began her teaching career at Anniston High School in 1963. From 1963 through 1968 she was a physical education teacher and coached volleyball, gymnastics, track and cheerleading at Anniston. One of her Anniston volleyball teams qualified in the first Alabama High School Athletic Association state volleyball tournament.

After four years as physical education instructor at Fort McClellan Elementary School, Marbut began teaching and coaching at The Donoho School in 1975. Today she is best known for the success of her girls’ athletic teams at Donoho from 1975 through 1992. While at Donoho, Marbut coached basketball, cheering, gymnastics, tennis and track but achieved her greatest success in volleyball. Her teams were state champions five times and runners-up six times with an overall record of 600-195.

Marbut made an immediate impact on volleyball in Calhoun County, winning the Calhoun County tournament in 1975. Donoho was also Calhoun County tournament champion for Marbut in 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987 and 1991. The Falcons finished as Calhoun County tournament runner-up under Marbut on five occasions. Thirty-three of Marbut’s players were awarded all-state honors.

She was founding president of the Alabama Volleyball Coaches Association. Marbut served ten years as coordinator of girls’ sports for the AHSAA Sixth District. Twice Marbut was selected state volleyball coach of the year.

In 1995 Marbut was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. That same year she received a distinguished service award from Jacksonville State. She received a lifetime achievement award from the Alabama Women’s Sports Foundation in 1998 and was named alumna of the year by Jacksonville State in 2000. Marbut also holds a masters degree from Jacksonville State in administration and supervision.