Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yvette “Rusty” Wesson |
| Also Known As | Princess Dolemite; Yvette E. Wesson-Mingo |
| Birth | Estimated mid-20th century (1950s–1960s) |
| Residence | Akron, Ohio |
| Known For | Recognized as the daughter of comedian-filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore (Dolemite) |
| Family Role | Caregiver to her father in his final months; executor of his estate |
| Children | One son, Rickie Campbell |
| Grandchildren | Three |
| Mother | Barbara Yvette Wesson (1936–1979) |
| Father | Rudy Ray Moore (1927–2008) |
| Distinctive Nicknames | “Rusty,” “Princess Dolemite” |
| Public Presence | Low; limited media statements and no verified social media |
Origins and Identity
Yvette “Rusty” Wesson’s story is wrapped around Rudy Ray Moore, the bold entertainer whose Dolemite persona became famous. Wesson went slowly and off-camera while Moore strutted around film reels and nightclubs. Born in the 1950s or 1960s, she was raised in Arkansas, Ohio, and elsewhere as her father’s job moved, and she ended up in Akron, where she cared for him in his final year.
Her identity is complex. She was known as Princess Dolemite and adopted her father’s fun nicknames, yet she was reclusive. “Wesson-Mingo” suggests a marriage in her past, but specifics were never released.
Family Web
Yvette’s family constellation revolves around her father’s side, tying her to a network of siblings, clergy, and community matriarchs. The names repeat like echoes—Nathaniels, Geralds, Della—spanning households from New Jersey to Spokane.
| Relation | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Rudy Ray Moore | Pioneering comedian, producer, actor (1927–2008) |
| Mother | Barbara Yvette Wesson | Died at age 43; buried in Ohio |
| Grandmother | Lucille Smith Moore | Lived to at least 98; Spokane, Washington |
| Grandfather | Nathaniel Moore Sr. | Deceased prior to 2008 |
| Aunt | Geroldine Anderson | East Orange, New Jersey |
| Aunt | Della Moore | Spokane, Washington |
| Uncle | Gerold “Gerry” Moore Sr. | Deacon; Spokane |
| Uncle | Rev. Nathaniel Moore Jr. | Clergyman; Spokane |
| Uncles (deceased) | Norman Moore; Lloyd Ray Moore | Predeceased Rudy |
| Son | Rickie Campbell | Married to Tenisha; Pleasanton, California |
| Grandchildren | Three | Names not public |
The family’s presence in church roles and community life reflects a tenor of service and stability—a quiet counterpoint to Moore’s flamboyant career. Yvette ties that line together: daughter, caretaker, heir, and matriarch to her own branch.
A Father’s Legacy and a Daughter’s Stewardship
Yvette brought Rudy Ray Moore to Ohio and cared for him through diabetes issues in his final years. That personal time provided her a perspective on his songs, films, contracts, and grit and swagger mystique. In 2010, an Ohio court appointed Yvette executor of his estate, granting her management over intellectual property and related rights.
Her role has been less about bright lights than about paperwork, provenance, and protection. Estate management demands a quiet sort of endurance—calls, filings, permissions—while the public memory often fast-forwards to the performances and leaves the ledger lines behind.
Dispute and Spotlight
In 2019, a high-profile biographical film on her father reignited inheritance and recognition arguments, bringing Yvette back into the spotlight. She claimed she was deprived from profits and questioned settlement fairness. The debate was raw: a daughter demanding her place in history and real rights. Producers and stakeholders disputed her assertions, raising questions about paternity and heirship. The prior court recognition of her executor role was vital amid the chaos.
Her financial and health issues were reported at the time. These sharp, human aspects contrasted with Moore’s rising popularity. Legacy may be dazzling but painful, as her little video statement showed.
Career and Collaborations
Yvette has a little entertainment presence. She worked with her father on his final album, a touching farewell called “Let Me Sing to You Before I Drift Away.” She has no other notable independent ventures or arts career. She is mainly identified with estate custodianship—approvals, archives, and father’s name.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Collaborations | Participated in Rudy Ray Moore’s final recording |
| Independent Projects | None publicly documented |
| Estate Role | Executor since 2010 |
| Public Statements | Limited; one notable video in 2019 |
| Social Media | No verified accounts identified |
Timeline of Milestones
The family’s chronology reads like a collage: origin points, losses, caretaking, and public disputes, all stitched together across seven decades.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Rudy Ray Moore born in Fort Smith, Arkansas |
| 1936 | Barbara Yvette Wesson born |
| ~1950s–1960s | Estimated birth window for Yvette “Rusty” Wesson |
| 1979 | Barbara Wesson dies at age 43 |
| 2008 | Rudy Ray Moore dies; Yvette serves as caregiver in Ohio |
| 2010 | Ohio court recognizes Yvette as executor of Moore’s estate |
| 2019 | Public dispute and statements tied to a biographical film |
| 2020s | Mentions remain sporadic; life largely private |
Presence and Privacy
Yvette maintains a low horizon despite omnipresent profiles and constant feeds. Verified social media, updates, and managed timelines are absent. Like footprints after rain, her mentions are infrequent and fade swiftly. Family, legacy, and privacy seem to be her priorities.
Akron Roots and Wider Branches
Akron, Ohio, houses her father’s and hers’ most personal story. She has relatives on the West Coast through her son and grandkids, the Pacific Northwest through aunts and uncles, and the East Coast through extended cousins. This geography weaves a uniquely American story of migration for opportunity, church and community-fortified kinships, and a shared remembrance of an artist who transformed difficulty into showmanship.
FAQ
Is Yvette Wesson Rudy Ray Moore’s daughter?
She is widely recognized publicly as Moore’s daughter and referred to as his only child in family notices.
Where does Yvette Wesson live?
She has been associated with Akron, Ohio.
What is her role in Rudy Ray Moore’s estate?
She was recognized as executor in Ohio in 2010.
Did she work in entertainment?
Her involvement appears limited and primarily linked to collaboration on her father’s final recording.
Why was she in the news in 2019?
Public attention centered on her statements regarding profits and recognition tied to a biographical film about her father.
Does she have children?
Yes, one son named Rickie, and three grandchildren.
What is the significance of “Princess Dolemite”?
It’s a nickname that reflects her connection to her father’s famed Dolemite persona.
Is there a verified social media account for her?
No verified accounts have been identified.
What do we know about her mother?
Her mother was Barbara Yvette Wesson, who died in 1979.
How would you describe her public profile?
Private, with infrequent media appearances and limited public statements.