Joseph L. Blackwell, a retired Western Electric Co. machine operator and longtime member of New Shiloh Baptist Church in West Baltimore, died Thursday at Ruxton Health and Rehabilitation Center of complications from a fall. He was 90.

Mr. Blackwell was born and raised in Lottsburg, Va., the son of a farmer. After graduating from local public schools, he moved to Baltimore in the early 1930s and took jobs as a hotel porter and in a restaurant.

He then worked at Western Electric's Point Breeze plant for 34 years as a machine operator until retiring in 1977.

An avid vegetable gardener, Mr. Blackwell kept family and friends well-supplied with fresh tomatoes and sweet potatoes which he grew in a garden behind his Northwest Baltimore rowhouse.

Mr. Blackwell was a trustee and deacon and active in the funeral ministry at New Shiloh Baptist Church, 2100 N. Monroe St., where services will be held at noon today.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Pearl Thornton; a daughter, the Rev. Robbin M. Blackwell of Baltimore; and a sister, Garnette Dunford of Baltimore.