Alma Viator was much more than the wife of Ben Jones, the actor and former congressman best known for playing Cooter Davenport on The Dukes of Hazzard. For more than three decades, she was his partner in both family life and the business ventures that helped preserve the beloved television show’s legacy.
Jones died on August 9, 2026, at the age of 84 after suffering a massive heart attack at his home in Washington, Virginia. Alma announced his death on Facebook, sharing that he passed away peacefully while sitting in his favorite chair and waiting to watch an Atlanta Braves baseball game.
His death brought renewed attention to the woman who had stood beside him for more than 30 years.
Who Is Alma Viator?
Alma Viator was Ben Jones’ longtime wife and business partner. Although Jones spent decades in the public eye as an actor, politician and Dukes of Hazzard personality, Alma generally maintained a lower public profile.
Their relationship was built around much more than Jones’ Hollywood career. Together, they created businesses connected to the television series and worked to keep its fan community active long after the original show ended.
Their marriage began in 1992 and continued until Jones’ death in 2026, giving them more than three decades together.
Their Wedding
Ben Jones and Alma Viator married on October 10, 1992.
Their wedding came several years after Jones’ Dukes of Hazzard fame had made him a household name. By then, he had already established himself as an actor and was preparing for another chapter of his career.
The couple remained together through Jones’ transition from entertainment into politics and later into the world of Dukes of Hazzard-themed business and fan events.
Over the years, their partnership became a central part of Jones’ life outside acting.
Cooter’s Place
One of the couple’s most recognizable joint ventures was Cooter’s Place.
The business turned Jones’ famous television character into a real-world attraction, creating museums and merchandise destinations dedicated to The Dukes of Hazzard.
Locations associated with Cooter’s Place have included Nashville and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee, as well as Luray, Virginia.
For fans of the classic series, the attractions provided an opportunity to see memorabilia, vehicles and other pieces connected with the show’s history.
Alma worked alongside Jones in developing and operating the business, making her an important part of the commercial side of his legacy.
DukesFest
The couple were also closely involved with DukesFest, a large gathering created for fans of The Dukes of Hazzard.
The event brought together enthusiasts, vehicles, memorabilia and members of the show’s cast. It became an important meeting point for the show’s fan community and helped maintain interest in the series decades after its original run.
For Alma and Ben, DukesFest was another example of their shared work.
Their partnership helped turn Jones’ connection with Cooter Davenport into a lasting relationship with fans rather than simply a television role from the past.
Their Family
Alma and Ben built a blended family during their marriage.
According to reports, their family included three children, three stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.
Despite Jones’ fame, much of the family’s private life remained away from the entertainment spotlight.
That privacy continued throughout the couple’s marriage, with Alma rarely becoming the subject of the kind of celebrity coverage that followed her husband.
Ben’s Career
Jones became famous for playing Cooter Davenport, the friendly mechanic and owner of Cooter’s Garage on The Dukes of Hazzard.
The CBS series ran from 1979 through 1985 and became one of the most recognizable television shows of its era. Jones appeared throughout the series and became closely identified with the character.
His career extended beyond television. He also appeared in productions including Smokey and the Bandit before eventually moving into politics.
In 1988, Jones was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia. He served two terms before leaving Congress.
Life After Politics
After his political career, Jones remained connected to both entertainment and the Dukes of Hazzard community.
His work with Alma on Cooter’s Place and DukesFest allowed him to continue interacting with generations of fans.
Rather than leaving Cooter Davenport behind, Jones embraced the character’s popularity and helped create a lasting home for the show’s memorabilia and supporters.
Alma’s role in those projects meant that she was closely involved in the preservation of the legacy that had become such an important part of their shared life.
His Final Moments
Jones’ death was announced by Alma on August 9.
She said he died at their home in Washington, Virginia, following a massive heart attack. According to her account, he was resting in his favorite chair while waiting to watch the Atlanta Braves when he died peacefully.
The quiet circumstances of his final moments stood in sharp contrast to the colorful public career that had made him famous.
From television actor to congressman and later Dukes of Hazzard ambassador, Jones lived several distinct professional lives.
For more than 33 years, Alma Viator was beside him through all of those chapters.
Their marriage survived career changes, political life and the demands of running businesses connected with one of television’s most enduring cult classics.
Following Jones’ death, Alma is now the surviving spouse carrying memories of their life together and the legacy they built around Cooter Davenport.
For fans searching for “Ben Jones wife Alma Viator,” the answer is clear: Alma was Jones’ wife from October 10, 1992, until his death on August 9, 2026. She was also his longtime business partner and played an important role in Cooter’s Place and DukesFest.
Jones’ passing marks the end of an era for the Dukes of Hazzard family, but the work he and Alma built together ensures that his connection to Cooter Davenport will continue to be remembered by fans.
