She was born on January 22, 1935, in Weimar, Texas to Fred and Esther Vornsand. Beuna grew up in humble surroundings. Her father “Mr. Fred” was Weimar’s Chief of Police (and for that matter lone police officer.)

Her mother Esther was the cafeteria cook at the Weimar public schools. Beuna attended Weimar High School where she served as lead drum majorette, was voted most liked in her class, and met the love of her life, James B. Sales.

From an original double date at the Weimar movie theatre and then to the Junior Prom, James knew Beuna was “the one” and he would later propose to her during Christmas 1955 “with a ring wrapped in a little box wrapped in an even bigger box.” They married on June 3, 1956, beginning an almost fairy-tale life together that would span over 66 years.

Beuna earned her Registered Nurse degree and license at Brackenridge School of Nursing in Austin, Texas while James attended the University of Texas. After their respective graduations, they married the next weekend in Weimar, enjoyed a three-day honeymoon at the Seahorse Motel in Galveston, and then James left for Marine Corps basic training in Virginia.

He then shipped out to Japan and Beuna moved back to her parents’ home in Weimar, where she worked as a nurse at the local hospital and gave birth to their son Mark in 1957. When James returned from overseas, they moved to Austin so James could attend the University of Texas School of Law.

Beuna worked full time as a nurse supporting the family, and in 1959 she gave birth to their daughter Debbie. After graduating law school, James accepted an associate lawyer position at Fulbright, Crooker, Freeman & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright), and they made their new home in Houston, Texas. In 1962, Beuna gave birth to their son Travis, completing their family.

Beuna gave up her nursing career to become a full-time and quintessential homemaker. She took great pride that “her job” was taking care of James and their children. Beuna worked tirelessly and devotedly to create a home full of warmth, love and support—and her nursing training often came in handy.

Beuna delighted in making homemade meals for her family, and true to their humble beginnings, going out to dinner was rare and usually saved for Saturday night after Mass. Beuna thoroughly enjoyed preparing for holidays, especially Christmas where flocked Christmas trees often caused havoc around her otherwise meticulously clean house.

Beuna was incredibly supportive of James as he ascended in his legal career. She treasured accompanying him to the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and Houston Bar Association trips and lawyer functions. She served as a beautiful and gracious First Lady of the Houston Bar Association when James became its President, and then again as First Lady of the State Bar of Texas when James was elected its President.

Multiple generations of young lawyers and their spouses at Fulbright & Jaworski and from around the state sought out Beuna for her wisdom, guidance, support, and mostly for her loving hugs. Beuna never met a stranger and never had a bad word to say about anyone; people gravitated to her warmth and smile.

After all three children also became trial lawyers, Beuna served as “referee,” “peacemaker,” and “psychologist” around the family dinner table, often keeping the conversations well-grounded and non-legal; she possessed an understated but very effective wit and dry sense of humor.

Beuna will be remembered as a loving, caring and dutiful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her devotion to James was legendary, and James professed that he was the luckiest man who ever lived because he found his one and only life-mate in Beuna Mae.

Beuna is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Esther Vornsand; her husband James B. Sales; and her brother Glen Vornsand and his wife Sue Vornsand. Beuna is survived by her children Mark Sales and his wife Nancy Sales, Debbie Elmore and her husband Phil Elmore and their daughters Laura Elmore LeBlanc and Kristin Elmore Herbel, and Travis Sales and his wife Sandy Sales; and by her grandchildren Alex Sales, Marshall Sales, Katie Sales Kirbo and her husband Bradford Kirbo, Harry Sales and his wife Katie Sales, Emily Sales Marmillion and her husband Brian Marmillion, and James Austin Sales; and her great grandchildren George Kirbo, Reese Kirbo, Annie Marmillion and Camille Sales.

Beuna is also survived by her sister Doris Brown, her brother and sisterin- law Frank and Bonnie Sales; and her nephew and nieces Vic Vornsand, Sandra Trefney, Coni Carter, Paula Evans and Laura Woodward.

The family would like to thank the dedicated medical professionals and caregivers who lovingly cared for Beuna during the last few years of her life, including Brenda Baptiste, Lillie Reneau, Shana Riggs, and the entire team at Cole’s Concierge Services. Beuna’s family so appreciates the care, comfort and respect you showed Beuna.

We are comforted to know that Buena is now at peace in God’s Kingdom, restored to full health and reunited with the love of her life James. May God bless you Mom, aka Granny aka Great Granny.

Visitation for Beuna will occur on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. A funeral mass will be held for Beuna on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas 77079.

Father Leon Strieder will officiate the service. Grandsons Marshall Sales, Harry Sales, and James Austin Sales; Grandsonsin- Law Bradford Kirbo and Brian Marmillion; and Great Grandson George Kirbo will serve as Pallbearers.

A reception celebrating Beuna’s life will immediately follow at the St. John Vianney Catholic Church St. Jude Reception Hall, with burial afterwards. In remembrance of Beuna Mae, please give someone a big hug.