Alma was born to Jim and Emilia Fasselmann on July 1st, 1921 as their fourth child. The family lived in Fredericksburg at the time. Like her siblings, Alma had Afro-German roots on her maternal and paternal sides. She later married Mr. Andrew Fay from Sonora who was of Native American descent and spoke Spanish. As a result of the family roots and surroundings, Alma's children grew up hearing English, German and Spanish. In the recording below, a shop employee from Fredericksburg remembers how Alma would go shopping and naturally speak German with him over the years.