The Quessenberry Family

J.H. Smith

"James Harmon Smith"

Anne’s Brother — Ponies & Quarter Horses on the West-of-163 Row

West side of Highway 163, Birdeye, Arkansas

J.H. Smith is one of W.M. Smith Sr. and Clarah Anne Hamilton’s four children — brother of Anne Quessenberry, Maurice Jr., and Elizabeth Levesque Johnston. He is Jim Quessenberry Jr.’s uncle, not his first cousin.

After the war he and Winnie Bob Shaver lived in a portion of the 1903 house, then built on the west side of Highway 163 with the other three households. On the plantation he ran the Shetland pony and Quarter Horse division — started with a couple of Shetlands for the children; by 1959 it was a real sideline, and two ponies were door prizes at the Keystone of Red Gate sale.

Winnie Bob is the daughter of James Levesque “Bex” Shaver, named for Capt. James M. Levesque. Their children include Harmon (Jackie), Carolyn, Tom Benton, William (Bill), Meredith — and Martin, who later took the 1903 house.

Also in the Family

Jim Quessenberry, close-up portrait

Jim Quessenberry

Founder & Two-Time World Champion Pitmaster

Lee Quessenberry studio portrait

Lee Quessenberry

Co-Founder, Brand Manager & Conduit

Michael Quessenberry at the Hog Wild trailer

Michael Quessenberry

Community Outreach & Catering

Donna Quessenberry in a family snapshot

Donna Quessenberry

Label Designer & Marketing Partner

Alice Marie Webb Choate

Donna’s Mother — Mum to the Grandchildren

Clarah Anne Smith Quessenberry

Jim’s Mother — Smith Daughter of the 1903 House

James Harrell Quessenberry, Sr.

Jim’s Father — Farmer, Navy Armed Guard, Angus Partner

Becky Quessenberry Farmer holding the Irish Cup

Becky Quessenberry Farmer

Jim's Older Sister — 1985 Championship Team Member

Creighton Collier

Jim’s Nephew & Team Cook

Barbara Patterson

Creighton’s Mother-in-Law — The Shirt Story

John Collier

Jim's Nephew & Team Member

Victoria Collier (Tori) at age eight

Victoria Collier

Becky’s Daughter — Next Generation of the Ireland Trip

Alexandra Collier

Creighton’s Daughter — Becky’s Granddaughter

Clara Collier

Collier Family — Next Generation

Krystal Quessenberry

Lee’s Wife — Household & Taste-Test Crew

Beth Renfro

Jim's Younger Sister

Nancy & George

Jim's Sister-in-Law & Alaskan Hunter

William Maurice Smith Sr.

Built the 1903 House — Founded Birdeye Angus Farms

W. Maurice Smith Jr.

Anne’s Brother — 3335 Highway 163 — Birdeye Angus

Winnie Bob Shaver Smith

J.H. Smith’s Wife — Shaver / Levesque Honorary Line

Elizabeth Levesque Smith Johnston

Anne’s Sister — West-of-163 Row

James Henry Johnston

Cattle Manager — Birdeye Angus Farms

Martin Smith

Cousin · Landscape Architect · Owner of the Birdeye Stately Home

Kara Smith

studioDRIFT Co-Founder · Birdeye Farms

Whit Smith

Fifth-Generation Farmer — Birdeye Farms

J. Harmon Smith

Cousin · Birdeye / Cross County Family Line

John Emesy Collier Jr.

Becky’s Husband — 1903 House, 1980s–90s

Joellyn Sullivan

Silky Sullivan's Wife & Family Friend

Nathan Thomas

Childhood Friend of Michael & Family Helper

Neb Thomas

Purchaser of the Quessenberry Home & Sauce Factory

Arthur Lee McDaniel

Right-Hand Man, Production Lead & Partner-in-Crime

2× World Champion 2× World Champion Irish Cup World Champion 1985 Irish Cup World Champion 1985 Irish Cup World Champion 1987 Irish Cup World Champion 1987 BBQ Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist 2019 BBQ Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist 2019 Arkansas Trav'ler Cooking Team Arkansas Trav'ler Cooking Team Memphis in May 1978–1994 Memphis in May 1978–1994