The History of
La Krewe des Gens Extraordinaire
FEBRUARY 24, 2020 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • 37
family to one of his famous “sauces or
gumbo.” Duchess Yvette is a graduate of
San Francisco State University and works
for Sansum Clinic as a health care programmer/
analyst. She has two children,
Sabrina and Paul, and she enjoys riding
horses, dancing, cooking and entertaining
friends and family. She is always ready to
“Pass a good time.”
The King and Queen of Krewe Extraordinaire
2020 are Sean Simpson
and Cynthia Gail Douglas. King Sean,
a native of Lake Charles, is a graduate of
Lake Charles-Boston, and the owner of
Lagniappe Catering. He has visited over
35 countries as an executive chef with
the Merchant Marines. He is the father of
three great children, Demonte, Christasia
and Victory, and eight grandchildren.
Sean loves to entertain and is known for
his signature “pineapple rum delite.” He is
a true New Orleans Saints fan and enjoys
cooking and socializing with family and
friends. Sean has been a Krewe member
since 2007.
Queen Cynthia is a resident of Beaumont,
Texas and the daughter of the late
Thomas and Lorena Douglas. She has
four siblings: sister Stephanie (Michael)
Geyen of San Antonio, Ball Captain
Sybil Douglas, and two brothers,
Larry Douglas and Eric Douglas.
The Queen attended Lamar University
and is a graduate of Opelousas High
School. She is a Certified Hemodialysis
Technician and is also a veteran at public
service, working for the State of Texas for
18 years in Criminal Justice. She enjoys
helping others and making a difference.
The Queen is a diehard sports fan and her
favorite teams are the New Orleans Saints
and the New Orleans Pelicans. She enjoys
traveling and spending time with family
and friends. Queen Cynthia is a nine-year
member of the Krewe. She gives special
thanks to Michelle Lathon-Verdun and
Joe Brown of Houston and dedicated this
night in memory of her parents.
Princess Khloe Elizabeth Felton, 9, is
a Banner Roll student in the third grade
at Gillis Elementary. The daughter of
Neal and Shanda Felton, she enjoys reading,
dancing and hanging out with her big
sister Shelby. She is the granddaughter
of Ball Captain Sybil Douglas. Princess
Khloe would like to become a doctor
when she grows up.
The Krewe hosted a champagne social
as their guests awaited the Royal Toast
and promenade. Krewe members
and guests danced
the night away to the sounds of August
Heat. The night was filled with good
music, food and a Mardi Gras Second
Line stroll by the Krewe of Extraordinary
People. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
La Krewe des Gens Extraordinaire
was founded in 1995. A core group of
individuals had been talking for weeks
about starting a new Krewe. It took
dedication and hard work from Edwina
Medearis, Shannon Ryan, Cliff
Bertrand, Barbara Forsythe, Shelia
Winey, Toney Forsythe, Mallany Ryan,
and Charles Brown—but they knew
that their efforts could make their vision
a reality. The main qualification
for joining the exceptional Krewe was
to simply be a person of extraordinary
qualities, regardless of position or title.
The inaugural Mardi Gras Ball was held
on January 13, 1996 in the Contraband
Room at the Lake Charles Civic Center.
From the beginning, this Krewe of Extraordinary
People has made a commitment
to foster and promote this joyous
celebration by participating in
all Mardi Gras activities in
Southwest Louisiana.