The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, led hundreds of mourners in paying their respects to the wife of an Oxford vicar.

The funeral of 82-year-old Joan Margaret Cocke, known as Margaret, was held today at All Saints' Church in Lime Walk, Headington. Dr Williams, who is a former Professor of Divinity at Oxford University, gave the eulogy.

Mrs Cocke, who had suffered from Alzheimer's and died in hospital earlier this month, was married to the Rev James Cocke, who at 82 is Oxfordshire's oldest serving vicar - and one of the longest-serving in the UK.

Dr Williams, who knew the couple personally, said: "She gave wonderful support to Jim and to everybody she encountered here.

"She was someone who touched the lives of all the ordinary people in the parish."

In his eulogy, Dr Williams spoke movingly about Mrs Cocke's illness.

He said: "In the last 12 years... when she seemed to be drifting away further and further, and when she did not listen or speak as we would understand it - we believe God spoke to her, throughout.

"In those difficult years, that relationship remained the foundation of all that she was."

He added: "A long farewell can be harder than a rapid shock."

The Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, led the prayers.

Mrs Cocke's son, Hugh, a school headmaster, read from The Wisdom of Solomon.

After the service, mourners paid tribute to Mrs Cocke and described Dr Williams' eulogy as "inspirational".

Simon Lee, 51, said: "She was a tremendous support to Jim, who is such a rock to the community. I thought the eulogy was very inspirational.

"Dr Williams is a very holy man."

Linda Bobby, 65, from Cuddesdon, was a close friend of Mrs Cocke for 30 years. She said: "She was a lovely, quiet person. Her family were very fond of her and they will miss her greatly, as will I.

"The address was wonderful and very emotional."

Mrs Cocke had been involved in the parish since Mr Cocke took over as vicar in 1957.

She had been a teacher at the junior and infant schools in Margaret Road, Headington, and the preparatory school at Headington School in London Road.